‘They didn’t give us water’: Deportees from US return to Brazil handcuffed on flight

One of the deportees, Edgar Da Silva Moura, 31, a computer technician, told AFP: “On the plane, they didn’t give us water, we were tied hands and feet, they wouldn’t even let us go to the bathroom. It was very hot, some people fainted.”

Another deportee, Luis Antonio Rodrigues Santos, 21, recounted the “nightmare” conditions, citing respiratory problems among passengers due to a lack of air conditioning for several hours. He said, “Things have already changed (with Trump), immigrants are treated as criminals,” as per France24.

BRAZIL SLAMS HANDCUFFS ON DEPORTEES—TRUMP ADMIN UNMOVED

Brazil called the use of handcuffs on deportees “blatant disrespect,” demanding their removal mid-flight during an unexpected landing in Manaus.

The Trump administration, now ramping up mass deportations, sees the… https://t.co/C1DdUEQCIB pic.twitter.com/N0jKCp7yHK

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 26, 2025

Brazil’s response

Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to seek explanations from the US government over the inhumane treatment of Brazilians on the deportation flight, according to a statement on X, on Saturday night.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ordered the use of a Brazilian Air Force aircraft to complete the deportees’ journey, ensuring they could finish their trip with dignity and safety.

The deportation flight was part of a 2017 bilateral agreement between Brazil and the US and was not directly related to President Trump’s recent immigration orders. This marks the second deportation flight this year and the first since Trump’s second term began.

(With inputs from France24, AFP, Reuters)