Was this bound to happen?
Brazil has expressed outrage over the treatment of Brazilian migrants deported from the United States. The incident, which occurred on January 26, 2025, has sparked diplomatic tension between the two countries.
The deportation flight, carrying 88 Brazilian nationals, arrived in Manaus, northern Brazil, under controversial circumstances. Brazil says passengers reported being handcuffed and shackled during the flight, with their hands and feet bound and were denied water and access to restrooms throughout the journey.
Disgusting.
The plane reportedly experienced technical difficulties, resulting in four hours without air conditioning which allegedly led to extremely hot conditions, causing some passengers to faint.
Brazil’s government has strongly condemned the treatment of its citizens and the foreign ministry announced it would seek clarification from Washington regarding the “humiliating treatment” of individuals on the flight.
Edgar Silva Mour, a 31-year-old computer technician who had spent seven months in detention in the US, described the ordeal: “On the plane, they didn’t provide us with water, we were bound hand and foot, and they wouldn’t even allow us to use the restroom. It was extremely hot, and some individuals fainted.”
This incident occurs against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s re-election and his administration’s intensified efforts against undocumented migration. It has raised concerns about the treatment of deportees and strained diplomatic relations between the US and several Latin American countries. The Brazilian government has emphasized the need for dignified treatment of its citizens and is taking steps to ensure their well-being, including mobilizing a Brazilian Air Force aircraft to transport the deportees to their final destinations.