Paola Ramos

Unfortunately, there's no surprise here. And I think watching this country turn into the Venezuela, almost, that Jersey escaped is alarming.

Unfortunately, there's no surprise here. And I think watching this country turn into the Venezuela, almost, that Jersey escaped is alarming.

I mean, I think there's two stories. There's a story of pain that his family is feeling. His sister and his parents are waiting anxiously every single day to just know if their brother and their son is alive. Jersey's daughters are waiting.

I mean, I think there's two stories. There's a story of pain that his family is feeling. His sister and his parents are waiting anxiously every single day to just know if their brother and their son is alive. Jersey's daughters are waiting.

Jersey's partner is living in limbo right now in the U.S.-Mexico border, in Tapachulas, in one of the most dangerous Mexican towns, also wondering if her partner is dead or alive. But then there's the flip side of the story, right, which is the essence of who this man is, you know, and that is the impact that he had in that soccer field years ago.

Jersey's partner is living in limbo right now in the U.S.-Mexico border, in Tapachulas, in one of the most dangerous Mexican towns, also wondering if her partner is dead or alive. But then there's the flip side of the story, right, which is the essence of who this man is, you know, and that is the impact that he had in that soccer field years ago.

The impact that he had training those kids, talking to those kids about this sport that has given them dreams and opportunities outside of Venezuela. If you walk through Dirce's hometown right now, you'll see a mural of him. If you go to his soccer team, to Perijanero FC... And the kids are talking about him.

The impact that he had training those kids, talking to those kids about this sport that has given them dreams and opportunities outside of Venezuela. If you walk through Dirce's hometown right now, you'll see a mural of him. If you go to his soccer team, to Perijanero FC... And the kids are talking about him.

This kid, Alan Carvajal, he's a goalie in the youth team in the very same field, again, where Jersey grew up. And his message is clear.

This kid, Alan Carvajal, he's a goalie in the youth team in the very same field, again, where Jersey grew up. And his message is clear.

And I think the part of the story is also understanding that any one of those kids and any one of these kids that are now trying to be Jersey, could end up like Jersey, where, you know, leaving the soccer team can end up taking you to a detention center, mega prison in El Salvador.

And I think the part of the story is also understanding that any one of those kids and any one of these kids that are now trying to be Jersey, could end up like Jersey, where, you know, leaving the soccer team can end up taking you to a detention center, mega prison in El Salvador.

Practice now ends with a prayer. And practice ends with Dirce's name in people's minds. He's remembered. Thank you for this day and also for our families. We ask that you help us and also members of the family. Help Gersi, who was a great trainer for us, guide him wherever he is, help to free him, liberate him so he's free wherever he is.

Practice now ends with a prayer. And practice ends with Dirce's name in people's minds. He's remembered. Thank you for this day and also for our families. We ask that you help us and also members of the family. Help Gersi, who was a great trainer for us, guide him wherever he is, help to free him, liberate him so he's free wherever he is.

Father, give him strength and courage and let him know that he is with us, the Venezuelans. Amen.

Father, give him strength and courage and let him know that he is with us, the Venezuelans. Amen.

To save him, yeah. I mean, it's beautiful that he remains alive in that field with them somehow.

To save him, yeah. I mean, it's beautiful that he remains alive in that field with them somehow.

Thank you for letting me do that. It really was a true honor.

Thank you for letting me do that. It really was a true honor.