Venezuelan citizen Gregorio Bolívar, who returned to Venezuela on flight 83 from Texas through the Gran Mision Vuelta a la Patria (Great Mission Return to the Homeland), denounced being physically assaulted by U.S. police officers. Bolívar recounted that the assaults occurred when he requested food during his detention, after going three days without receiving alimentation.
According to his testimony, «human rights don’t exist there; they treat you like you’re the worst criminal.» Bolívar detailed that approximately ten police officers entered the room where he was with five other detainees and beat them in response to the peaceful protest they had initiated due to the lack of alimentation.
The citizen stated that his return to the country had been scheduled for the previous week, but had to be postponed due to visible injuries on his body. The marks from the physical assault prevented his immediate transfer according to established protocols.
The Ministry of People’s Power for Interior Relations, Justice and Peace reported that the 166 repatriated individuals (154 men and 12 women) received medical attention to assess their health. Subsequently, the citizens were reunited with their families, in compliance with the protection protocols established by the Venezuelan State.