Richard Pereira managed to survive the collapse of the Santuario La Llanada Hotel in Macuto, La Guaira, but succumbed to his injuries just hours later in the hospital. This harrowing account was shared by his wife, Johana Pineda, with Telemundo 51.
Richard, Johana, and their seven-year-old son, Richi, had just returned to Venezuela on flight 164 of the "Return to the Homeland" program, which brought back 146 Venezuelans deported from the United States on June 24.
The family had been residing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, since 2023 while processing an asylum request. Johana explained that she signed a voluntary departure, assuming they had until August to prepare. However, during a routine meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they were detained and deported just two days later.
Upon landing at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the group was taken to the Santuario La Llanada Hotel. This building was frequently used by the Venezuelan regime to host deportees and was under the watchful eye of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).
Tragically, less than three hours after their arrival, at 6:04 pm, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck the northern part of the country in quick succession, leading to the hotel's total collapse.
Family's Last Moments Before Disaster
Inside the hotel, women with children were separated from the men. Johana was with Richi when the building began to crumble.
"I never let go of my son; I held him tightly in my arms. In that moment, I thought I had died. All I could do was tell him, 'I love you,'" she recounted tearfully.
The child's reply was one Johana says she will never forget: "Mom, I don't want to die."
Both mother and son survived with minor injuries. Richard was trapped under the rubble but was rescued alive by fellow deportees. Unfortunately, he passed away at the hospital shortly after.
"It feels like a nightmare. I keep thinking my husband is just at work and will return any moment," Johana expressed.
Aftermath and Continuing Struggles
The family faced another heartbreak: breaking the news of Richard's death to their son. With the help of a psychologist, they tried to find the right words. "He didn't want to believe it, insisting that it couldn't be true and that his dad was with his grandfather," Johana recounted.
To support Johana and Richi, Johana's niece, Luisa Quintero Pineda, launched a GoFundMe campaign from Nashville, Tennessee, to cover funeral, medical, housing, and psychological support expenses. As of the article's publication, $6,665 had been raised out of a $20,000 goal.
This tragedy was not isolated. Rosvelis Boscan Chacín, a 47-year-old father of seven, perished after contacting his daughter just hours before the hotel's collapse. Similarly, Yamil Caldera, a 32-year-old detained by ICE in Arizona, lost his life. His cousin, Deisy Urbina, described him as a "warrior" who fought to survive but couldn't escape.
Family testimonies reveal that no official rescue was conducted for the survivors. Instead, they had to rescue themselves, removing debris with their bare hands.
Additionally, the following day, SEBIN officials sealed off the hotel, preventing families from searching for their loved ones.
The administration led by Delcy Rodríguez has yet to release an official list of victims, survivors, or missing persons from flight 164.
The earthquakes on June 24 were the most catastrophic in Venezuela since 1900, according to the United States Geological Survey.
As of July 1, the official toll was 2,295 dead, 11,267 injured, and 12,841 displaced, while the UN estimates over 50,000 people are missing nationwide.
Understanding the Venezuelan Earthquake Tragedy
What led to the deportation of Richard Pereira's family from the United States?
Richard Pereira's family was deported from the United States after Johana Pineda signed a voluntary departure, expecting to have until August to prepare. However, they were detained by ICE during a routine meeting and deported just two days later.
What was the impact of the earthquakes on June 24 in Venezuela?
The earthquakes on June 24 were the most devastating in Venezuela since 1900, resulting in 2,295 deaths, 11,267 injuries, and 12,841 displacements. The UN estimates over 50,000 people are missing across the country.
How did Johana Pineda cope with the tragedy?
Johana Pineda struggled with the loss of her husband and the challenge of explaining his death to her son. With psychological support, she managed to inform her son, who initially refused to believe it. She also received financial support through a GoFundMe campaign organized by her niece.