After being deported from the U.S. and spending 16 days in Guantanamo Bay, Jhoan Bastidas is adjusting to life back in Maracaibo, Venezuela. His experience reflects broader deportation challenges faced by Venezuelan migrants, amid allegations of gang affiliations without substantial evidence. As Bastidas seeks to piece his life together, he emphasizes the importance of faith and resilience in overcoming adversity.
Jhoan Bastidas, a 25-year-old Venezuelan who faced deportation from the United States, recounts his journey of adjustment after spending 16 days at Guantanamo Bay under U.S. custody. During this time, he endured confinement with minimal food and no means to engage in activities, reflecting on his experience as “being locked up all day in a little room.” He has returned to his homeland of Maracaibo, Venezuela, following the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Approximately 350 Venezuelans were similarly deported, with around 180 having spent time in Guantanamo before being returned. The U.S. government has alleged connections to the Tren de Aragua gang in their deportations, yet has provided scant evidence. Bastidas recalls the difficulty of the situation, stating that he witnessed a great deal of hate during his experiences.
The economic crisis in Venezuela has resulted in more than 7.7 million citizens leaving since 2013, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Bastidas himself left in 2018, motivated by his family’s desperate circumstances as they attempted to find better opportunities abroad. He later decided to migrate to the U.S. after being persuaded by his brother, leading him to submit himself to U.S. authorities at the Texas border.
Although he was transported with no prior warning to Guantanamo, Bastidas describes being isolated from the outside world, having limited recreation and observing minimal sunlight. His confinement included being shackled while leaving his cell, with only rare moments of prayer with fellow detainees offering respite. Bastidas asserts that he is not affiliated with the gang the U.S. government claims, suggesting his tattoos led to mistaken identity.
The conditions in Maracaibo reflect devastation, with many storefronts abandoned as corruption and sanctions have plagued the city’s economy. Despite his challenging experiences, Bastidas remains hopeful, attributing his survival to divine purpose and aiming to rebuild his life. He has found work at a local hot dog stand, choosing to focus on faith and resilience as he navigates his recovery.
Jhoan Bastidas’s narrative illustrates the profound impact of U.S. deportation policies on Venezuelan migrants and underscores the traumatic experiences endured by those held in Guantanamo Bay. As he returns to a homeland grappling with economic and social crisis, Bastidas remains resolute in his faith, striving to rebuild his life while confronting societal stigma. His story is emblematic of the struggles and resilience of many Venezuelans who find themselves in similar situations.
Original Source: www.clickorlando.com
