Venezuela Demands Return of 66 Children Held in US

The Venezuelan government alleges that 66 Venezuelan children remain in U.S. custody after being separated from their parents during deportation proceedings, calling the situation a "cruel and inhumane policy." Caracas demands that the Trump administration return the children to Venezuelan authorities to reunite them with their families. Camila Fabri, president of Venezuela's Return to the Homeland program, highlighted the ongoing issue at a gathering where letters were read to First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to intervene. The Movement of Heroic Mothers in Venezuela also publicly called on Melania Trump to help stop the separation and kidnapping of these children, some of whom have been placed in foster care with families paid for by the U.S. Venezuelan officials have linked the situation to broader U.S. immigration crackdowns and deportations under President Donald Trump's administration. While 21 children have been repatriated so far, the Venezuelan government continues to press for the immediate return of all children, amid a backdrop of a significant Venezuelan migration crisis driven by violence and shortages in Venezuela.