On June 24, 2026, a group of 147 Venezuelans deported from Texas landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía aboard Flight 164 as part of the Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria program.
Tragically, just hours later, two of the most catastrophic earthquakes to hit Venezuela in over a century demolished the building where the regime had confined them. Unofficial sources report only 12 survivors.
The group consisted of 120 men, 19 women, and seven children, who had endured weeks or even months in detention centers across Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona before being expelled under the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies.
What should have been a return to safety quickly turned into a nightmare.
The Arrival and the Ill-Fated Hotel Transfer
Upon arrival at Maiquetía, Mervin Maldonado, head of the Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria, shared a welcoming video and posted on social media: "Today we welcomed Flight #164 of the Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria with 146 Venezuelans from the USA. Welcome!"—notably mentioning one less than the actual number.
From the airport, the deportees were transported by agents of the Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional (SEBIN) to Hotel Santuario La Llanada, perched in a remote mountainous area of La Guaira, managed by Fundación Misión Negra Hipólita. This location, previously a school and a COVID-19 quarantine center, served as the entry point for deportees under the agreement between Washington and Caracas.
There, they were to complete identification procedures, medical checks, and vaccination protocols before being sent to their hometowns. Many managed to contact their families.
Anderson Antonio Pérez, 33, residing in Montgomery, Alabama, called his family around 4 p.m. "He spoke with his wife, said they had arrived and would be relocated to Barquisimeto the next day, but then nothing more was heard," his sister recounted to local media.
Earthquake Devastation and Accusations Against SEBIN
At 18:04 local time on Wednesday, June 24, two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela just 39 seconds apart. The Hotel Santuario La Llanada collapsed.
According to relatives and survivors, as reported by El País and other outlets, SEBIN agents on-site refused to unlock the doors as the building crumbled. "The repatriated begged for the doors to be opened, but they were left trapped like criminals," accused Yulis Salcedo, mother of a survivor.
Joan, 28, detained by ICE on June 13 in Florida, miraculously survived. His wife, Daniela, recounted: "As he neared the door, the hotel gave way. A bunk fell on him, and the mattresses cushioned the weight. He clawed his way out after three hours beneath the rubble."
Jenny Rodríguez, a survivor interviewed by Noticias Telemundo, described the abandonment: "We were left alone. We hadn't been there three hours when the disaster began." She descended the mountain barefoot to reach communication at La Guaira's stadium.
Desperate Rescue Efforts Without Aid
Survivors initiated rescue efforts with bare hands. "We were helping, but lacked tools; the roof weighed nearly 1,000 kilos, who could manage that?" one survivor said.
Rodríguez indicated that 90% of Flight 164's passengers were still trapped, with no machinery arriving due to the difficult terrain and narrow roads. Unverified reports as of June 28 suggested at least 60 might still be alive in the building's upper levels and basement.
The Venezuelan government has not released any official list of victims or survivors from Flight 164, leaving families in anguish. "Just tell us the truth," they plead, as the regime remains silent.
Faces of the Tragedy and the Larger Context
Ángelo Mejía Meléndez, 27, promised his mother a family reunion that weekend. "I'm fine. We'll see each other soon," was his last message. Four days later, a survivor confirmed his fate.
Yamil Caldera, 32, was recognized by his sister-in-law in Maldonado's welcome video, having been detained with his wife by ICE at a Walmart.
Obadelys Núñez searched for her son Daniel Alejandro online. "He's tall, heavyset, fair-skinned, curly-haired, with a beard and a tattoo on his left arm," she detailed in an emotional video.
Flight 164 was part of a constant flow: in 2025, ICE Flight Monitor recorded 73 deportation flights to Venezuela, operating twice weekly, carrying nearly 14,000 individuals. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in October 2025 to terminate Temporary Protected Status left over 300,000 Venezuelans vulnerable.
As of June 29, the double earthquake claimed 1,719 lives, injured 5,034, and left 57,287 missing, according to U.N. estimates. The 147 from Flight 164 are largely part of this anonymous toll.
"We just want to know where they are. If they're alive, where are they? If not, tell us the truth," their families implore, while the regime remains mute.
Understanding the Venezuelan Deportation Crisis
What happened to the Venezuelans deported from the US on June 24, 2026?
They were deported to Venezuela and confined in Hotel Santuario La Llanada, which collapsed during two major earthquakes, resulting in numerous casualties and many still missing.
Why were these Venezuelans deported from the United States?
They were deported under the Trump administration's strict immigration policies, which targeted individuals without proper documentation.
What is the status of the search and rescue efforts?
Survivors initiated rescue efforts on their own due to the lack of official aid and equipment. Many are still believed to be trapped, but access challenges have hindered progress.