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Venezuelan deported from US after detention at Guantanamo Bay, returns to Venezuela

Mar 5, 2025

Country of origin: Venezuela

Venezuelan deported from US after detention at Guantanamo Bay, returns to Venezuela
Photo via CNN

Jhoan Bastidas, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, was deported from the United States and detained for 16 days at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before being transferred to Venezuela. During his detention, he was confined to a small cell, shackled when leaving the cell, allowed sunlight only three days per week, and had minimal access to food, books, or activities. The U.S. government alleged Bastidas was a member of the Tren de Aragua gang based on his chest tattoos, a claim he denied. He has since returned to his hometown in Maracaibo and begun working at a hot dog stand.

Timeline

Mar 5, 2025—Bastidas transferred to Venezuela and returned to his hometown in Maracaibo, where he began working at a hot dog stand
Feb 20, 2025—Jhoan Bastidas deported from the United States and detained at Guantanamo Bay naval base for 16 days under allegations of gang membership
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