Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal, a two-year-old Venezuelan girl who remained in the custody of the United States government after her parents were deported, has finally been repatriated to Venezuela.
The minor arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport on a special flight from the United States.
She was received by the Venezuelan First Lady, Cilia Flores, who carried her in her arms while officials from Nicolás Maduro's regime celebrated what they termed a "victory."
"Today we have a great victory," declared the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, in front of state media present at the airport.
The case had been surrounded by diplomatic tensions. For weeks, the Venezuelan government demanded the immediate return of the minor, accusing U.S. authorities of "kidnapping."
Washington, for its part, categorically denied that accusation and maintained that the separation of the family was an attempt to protect the girl, arguing that her parents had ties to the criminal group Tren de Aragua.
The mother, Yorelys Bernal, rejected that version and claimed that the suspicions may have originated from her tattoos, which she asserts only represent the birth dates of her family members.
In March, the girl's father, Maiker Espinoza Escalona, was deported to El Salvador and sent to the feared megaprison of Cecot, used by the United States to detain Venezuelan migrants accused of belonging to violent gangs.
Shortly after, Bernal was deported to Venezuela on a flight without her daughter.
Maikelys was finally reunited with her mother and grandmother this Wednesday at the Miraflores Palace, the seat of the Venezuelan government.
President Nicolás Maduro thanked the work of lawyers and human rights organizations in the U.S. that collaborated to achieve the repatriation of the minor.
He also acknowledged the role of Ambassador Richard Grenell, special envoy of former President Donald Trump, in mediating the case.
According to court documents, the family entered the United States in May 2024 to seek asylum. While the parents were detained in immigration detention centers, the minor was placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
For several months, the parents had weekly visits with the girl until both were deported separately in the context of President Donald Trump's new immigration policy.
Frequently Asked Questions about the repatriation of the Venezuelan girl Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal
Why was Maikelys Antonella detained in the United States?
Maikelys Antonella was detained in the United States after her parents were deported. U.S. authorities argued that the separation was made to protect the girl, claiming her parents had ties to the criminal group Tren de Aragua, which was denied by the mother, Yorelys Bernal.
How was the repatriation of Maikelys Antonella to Venezuela?
Maikelys Antonella was repatriated to Venezuela on a special flight from the U.S. She was welcomed at Simón Bolívar International Airport by First Lady Cilia Flores and other officials from Nicolás Maduro's regime, who celebrated the girl's return as a "victory."
What was the Venezuelan government's stance regarding the detention of Maikelys?
The Venezuelan government accused U.S. authorities of "kidnapping" for holding the girl after her parents' deportation. They demanded the immediate return of Maikelys and reported the case in international forums.
What role did lawyers and human rights organizations play in Maikelys' case?
Lawyers and human rights organizations in the U.S. collaborated in the repatriation of Maikelys Antonella. President Nicolás Maduro acknowledged their work, as well as the role of Ambassador Richard Grenell in mediating the case.
Filed under:
