U.S. denies Venezuela's claims of child separation abuse
Venezuela has accused the Trump administration, alleging that officials are separating children from their mothers. A representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to respond to these allegations.
Key Information
- DHS: Actions were taken to protect children from their parents' criminal activities.
- Parents: Members of the Tren de Aragua gang, involved in serious crimes.
- Children: Placed with foster families for their safety.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly denies the allegations made by the Venezuelan government, claiming that the Trump administration separated a child from her parents. The case involves a 2-year-old girl, the daughter of Maiker Espinoza-Escalona and Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte. The girl's parents are allegedly part of Tren de Aragua, a criminal organisation.
In a statement released by DHS, it was suggested that the child's father is reportedly a lieutenant in Tren de Aragua, responsible for murders, drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortions, human trafficking, and running a torture house. Meanwhile, the child's mother was allegedly involved in recruiting young women for drug smuggling and prostitution. As quoted by Fox News, DHS emphasises that these illegal immigrants were residing in the United States unlawfully, and final deportation orders had been issued against them.
The child was removed from the deportation flight list for her safety and well-being, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services. She is currently under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and has been placed with a foster family.
We will not allow these children to be exposed to crime that endangers their safety, said a high-ranking DHS official, as quoted by the station.
Reaction to the allegations
DHS points out that immigrants usually have the option to choose whether they want to be deported with their children or have the children placed under the care of a person designated by them. Although the parents in this case expressed a desire to leave the U.S. with their daughter, the authorities decided that for the child's well-being, she should remain under the care of the services.
Due to their criminal activities, the children were placed in a safe environment, explained the DHS representative.
According to eldiariony.com, the deported couple's relatives strongly deny that their loved ones were involved with Tren de Aragua and insist that the allegations made by the U.S. administration are false.
The report indicates that Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's Minister of Internal Affairs, condemned on Friday that the United States is "kidnapping" Venezuelan children. He suggested that this issue extends beyond the case of the 2-year-old girl, mentioning an incident involving a migrant mother who was allegedly forced to board a plane without her 2-year-old son.
