Mariale Castellano, one of the hundreds protesting in Caracas on 10/7, pleaded for the return of her 9-year-old daughter. The girl is currently with a foster family in the US after Castellano's deportation in May.

"I waited 4-5 months, hoping we would be deported together, but it didn't happen," the 26-year-old mother said.

At the protest, a woman read a letter urging the United Nations to take "urgent action" to return at least 30 children separated from their deported parents and stranded in the US. The letter was later delivered to the UN office in Caracas.

Venezuelans protest in Caracas on 10/7, demanding the US repatriate children whose parents have been deported. Photo: AP

Venezuelans protest in Caracas on 10/7, demanding the US repatriate children whose parents have been deported. Photo: AP

Protesters carried white balloons, photos of children, and signs reading "America, release our children".

They also demanded the repatriation of 252 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador in March under President Donald Trump's administration. This action was part of a crackdown on undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes.

"President Trump, please return our sons. They are all Venezuelans," said Maria Venegas, a relative of one of the Venezuelans held at the CECOT prison in El Salvador.

The Trump administration has not commented on the matter. Previously, the US Department of Homeland Security stated that some children were not repatriated with their parents to "ensure their safety and well-being".

Official figures show that from February to the first week of July, approximately 7,000 people, including about 1,000 children, were repatriated to Venezuela from the US and Mexico.

Huyen Le (AFP)