Another 174 Venezuelans deported from U.S. arrive in Caracas

CARACAS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- A group of 174 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States arrived Friday at Caracas' Maiquetia International Airport, Venezuelan authorities said.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello welcomed the group, which included 142 men, 18 women, six mothers, and eight children, all transported aboard a U.S.-based charter flight.

The repatriation is part of Venezuela's "Plan Vuelta a la Patria" (Return to the Homeland), a government initiative aimed at reintegrating returning migrants.

"These operations require extraordinary coordination efforts. There's no program like Venezuela's repatriation plan," Cabello said.

He also addressed concerns over a two-year-old girl, Maikelys Espinoza, who was reportedly separated from her mother before a deportation flight and left behind in the United States.

"They stole a Venezuelan child. There's word this has happened repeatedly - more children being separated from their parents," Cabello alleged, calling for national solidarity in supporting Maikelys and her family.

Another repatriation flight is expected later Friday, which would bring the total number of Venezuelans returned from the United States this year to over 3,600, according to Venezuela's Interior Ministry. ■