LA GUAIRA — Abelardo Rincón, one of more than 140 Venezuelan citizens deported from the United States last month, is missing after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. Rincón landed in the country on June 24, hours before the earthquakes resulted in the destruction of the hotel where he and other deportees were housed.

The earthquakes killed at least 2,200 people and injured more than 10,000 others. United Nations figures indicate that 50,000 people are currently missing due to the seismic events. Deportees from Flight 164 were placed in the Hotel Santuario La Llanada in La Guaira following medical examinations and documentation processing.

Jose Rincón, Abelardo Rincón's grandfather, has searched for him and viewed at least 200 bodies during his search. Venezuelan authorities prevented Jose Rincón from accessing the remains of the destroyed hotel. Jose Rincón stated, "If we could just see what we need to see - if I could see the rubble, I'd be satisfied - but days have gone by and I still haven't found him, alive or dead... So what am I supposed to do?"

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that the flight safely reached Venezuela and that all individuals on board were returned. The spokesperson added, "When an individual is no longer in ICE custody, ICE is no longer responsible for them."

Lisbeth Portillo, a passenger on Flight 164, survived the collapse of Hotel Santuario La Llanada. Portillo described the scene, saying, "I saw the woman next to me start to fall… they were all screaming for help." She also stated, "I was born again - God gave me a second chance." The group of deportees on Flight 164 reportedly included 19 women and seven children.