Jhoan Bastidas, a Venezuelan deportee, recounts his 16-day confinement at Guantanamo Bay. Facing the realities of life back in Maracaibo, he struggles with the stigma of deportation and false allegations of gang affiliation. As he tries to rebuild his life, his story reflects the wider plight of Venezuelan migrants amid ongoing political and economic turmoil.
Jhoan Bastidas, a 25-year-old Venezuelan, was recently deported from the United States after spending 16 days at Guantanamo Bay under uncertain conditions. He detailed his experience of confinement, stating, “I was locked up all day in a little room — I counted the feet: 7 wide and 13 long — without being able to do anything, without a book, looking at the walls.” Returning to Maracaibo, Venezuela, Bastidas is attempting to navigate the adjustments of returning to a country he left as a teenager.
Since 2013, over 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled their nation due to a dire economic crisis. Bastidas is among approximately 350 Venezuelans recently deported, many of whom faced similar confinement experiences at the naval base. Allegations have emerged from the Trump administration claiming that these deportees are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, yet little evidence has been presented to support these assertions. “It was all very hard; all those experiences were very hard,” Bastidas elaborated, highlighting the challenges faced by many deported individuals.
Bastidas, along with his family, left Maracaibo in 2018 due to the increasing hardships caused by the nation’s deteriorating conditions, including widespread hunger and lack of basic services. He migrated to the U.S. in search of better opportunities, only to find himself detained after crossing the border. He was eventually sent to Guantanamo without being informed of his destination until it became clear.
Once in Guantanamo, Bastidas described his experience as disorienting and confining, spending days in a small cell with limited sunlight. He and other detainees turned to prayer for comfort, expressing their belief that God would aid their release. “We used to say that the one who was going to get us out was God because we didn’t see any other solutions,” he noted, emphasizing the psychological toll of his confinement. Bastidas contends that he is not a gang member and attributes the incorrect labeling to the tattoos he carries.
Upon his eventual return to Venezuela, Bastidas was transported home by armed state agents. He has since taken on work at a local hot dog stand, attempting to rebuild his life in a city now characterized by abandonment and economic despair. With many residents knowing someone who has migrated elsewhere, discussions surrounding his deportation and those like him have been widespread on social media. To cope with the myriad challenges, Bastidas focuses on faith, stating, “I see it as a kind of test that the Lord put me through,” affirming his belief in a higher purpose.
The experiences of Jhoan Bastidas highlight the profound challenges faced by Venezuelan migrants and deportees repatriated under strained political circumstances. His time in Guantanamo Bay illustrates the dire conditions many endure due to evolving immigration policies. As Bastidas works to reintegrate into his community in Maracaibo, he embodies the resilience of individuals grappling with the aftermath of displacement, underscoring the broader narrative of Venezuelans seeking refuge amidst a national crisis.
Original Source: www.clickorlando.com
