Venezuela’s leader described the deportation of 200 migrants deported by the United States to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador as a “kidnapping”, denied they are criminals and backed calls for their return.

Family members of Venezuelan migrants who suspect their loved ones were sent to El Salvador as part of a rapid U.S. deportation operation over the weekend are struggling to get more information as a legal battle plays out.

The news that hundreds of migrants were headed to an El Salvador prison caused panic for some Venezuelans, who worried that their loved ones might be among them.