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Lisbeth P.: Woman deported to Venezuela survives hotel collapse during earthquakes

Lisbeth Portillo, 58, who lived in South Florida over four years with a pending asylum claim, was deported to Venezuela and survived a hotel collapse during earthquakes hours after arrival, reuniting with her children the next night.

Jun 25, 2026La Guaira, VECountry of origin: Venezuela

Lisbeth P.: Woman deported to Venezuela survives hotel collapse during earthquakes
Photo via BBC

Lisbeth Portillo, 58, was deported to Venezuela on June 24, 2026, on Flight 164 carrying approximately 146 people. She was housed at Hotel Santuario La Llanada with over 100 other recently deported Venezuelans, in a second-floor room with 16 other women. Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck hours after her arrival, causing the building to collapse. Portillo was buried under a beam but escaped the rubble, surviving with bruises covering her body. She was reunited with her children the following night. Portillo had crossed the U.S. border in November 2021 with a pending asylum claim and had lived in South Florida for more than four years before her deportation.

Timeline

Jun 25, 2026—Portillo reunited with her children
Jun 24, 2026—Portillo deported to Venezuela on Flight 164 with approximately 146 deportees; housed at Hotel Santuario La Llanada
Jun 24, 2026—Twin earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5 magnitude) strike Venezuela hours after Portillo's arrival; hotel collapses
Jun 24, 2026—Portillo buried under beam but escapes rubble; survives with bruises
Nov 2021—Lisbeth Portillo crossed U.S. border with pending asylum claim
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