Venezuelan Toddler Returns After Border Separation
A Venezuelan toddler separated from her parents at the US-Mexico border a year ago has finally returned to Venezuela. The child, Maikelys Espinoza Bernal, was left behind in the United States when her parents were deported last year. This reunion marks a significant moment as Maikelys arrived in Caracas aboard a removal flight on Wednesday.
Major figures in Venezuela’s government, which faces heavy US sanctions, had persistently demanded the return of Maikelys to her mother, Yorely Bernal. Yorely was deported to Venezuela in April, and the child had been cared for by the US Office of Refugee Resettlement since May 2024. The exact four word keyphrase “US-Mexico border dispute” appears early in this story to emphasize the context of the separation and return.
High-Profile Welcome and Family Reunion
State television broadcast images showing First Lady Cilia Flores holding the toddler at the international airport near Caracas. Shortly after, Maikelys was reunited with her mother and maternal grandmother at the presidential palace, where President Nicolas Maduro was present. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the return as “a battle every day and today we have a great victory,” highlighting the emotional and political significance of the event.
Parents’ Controversial Detention and Allegations
The toddler’s father, Maiker Espinoza, aged 25, was imprisoned in El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims he holds a leadership role in Tren De Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang, and accused him of overseeing serious crimes including homicides, drug trafficking, and torture. However, no concrete evidence has been presented publicly, and his family strongly denies these allegations.
His mother stated, “At no time has my son been involved with them. I think this is political—they are using the case of my son to cover up the horror that is being committed against all these innocents.” Similarly, DHS accused the toddler’s mother of recruiting young women for drug smuggling and sex work, claims that the family also denies.
Context of the US-Mexico Border Dispute and Diplomatic Moves
The couple met while living as migrants in Peru, where their daughter was born. After turning themselves in at the US border, they remained detained throughout their stay in the United States. The toddler’s return is viewed by some political analysts as potentially connected to recent diplomatic developments, including the departure of opposition members from Venezuela’s Argentine diplomatic residence.
Last week, five opposition figures and the elderly mother of an opposition leader exited Venezuela in what was described by some as a surprising, coordinated operation. The Venezuelan government later confirmed that the departure was part of a negotiation, though details remain undisclosed.
Ongoing Controversies and Family Denials
Many families of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison have denied any involvement with the Tren De Aragua gang. Several detained men had active asylum claims at the time of their deportation. The case of Maikelys highlights the human impact amid the complex US-Mexico border dispute and ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
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