U.S. accused of kidnapping 66 Venezuelan children by Venezuela
In a recent development, the Venezuelan government has called for the return of 66 kidnapped children currently residing in the United States. This demand comes amidst a long-standing crisis in Venezuela, characterised by rampant violence, inflation, gang-warfare, soaring crime rates, shortages of food, medicine, and essential services.
The call for the return of the children has been advocated by Camila Fabri, the president of the Return to the Homeland program. Fabri has been a vocal proponent for the voluntary return of people who left Venezuela, seeking to rebuild the nation.
The mass exodus of Venezuelans has been a significant issue since 2014, with over 7.7 million people leaving the country, according to UNHCR. In 2025 alone, approximately 10,631 Venezuelans returned to their homeland, including those deported from the United States and others stranded in Mexico.
However, data from the Mittelsachsen district of Germany shows a decrease in the number of Venezuelan children who returned (voluntarily or by deportation) in the first half of 2025, by 57 persons. The total exact number of Venezuelan children returned in all of 2025 is not explicitly stated in the available data, but it suggests a trend of increased return movements in 2025.
The situation of these returned children has been a subject of concern. Reports suggest that one of the returned children was deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison without evidence of gang activity. Additionally, four men freed in a prisoner swap in July, who returned to Venezuela, claimed they suffered beatings, abuse, and deprivation.
The US has not responded to Caracas' claim regarding the return of the 66 kidnapped children. The US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on Caracas' claim.
The relationship between the US and Venezuela is strained, with the US not recognising Maduro's past two election victories and placing a $50 million bounty on him due to federal drug trafficking charges. The US has also accused Maduro of leading a cocaine trafficking gang and has launched anti-drug operations in the Caribbean. In response, Maduro has announced he will deploy millions of militia members in response to US "threats."
A gathering was held where women read letters to US First Lady Melania Trump, asking her to intercede on behalf of the children. The number of children in question is growing daily.
As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, the demand for the return of these 66 children has become a significant issue, underscoring the complex and challenging circumstances faced by the Venezuelan people.
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