Trinidad and Tobago: 35 Venezuelans involved in the incident were deported

This Friday, the Ministry of Security of Trinidad and Tobago reported the deportation of 35 of the 39 Venezuelan migrants involved in the shooting that occurred on February 6, in which an infant lost his life, after the Coast Guard of that country opened fire on the ship.

The statement ensures that the people “were examined by the competent authorities of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as by representatives of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to guarantee, among other things, that there were no victims of human trafficking. people among them.”

Likewise, they highlighted that there was the cooperation of the Venezuelan authorities throughout the process, in order to guarantee the safety of all the people involved.

security protocols

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago emphasized that the death of the infant who was traveling on the boat that was attacked by the coast guard was "an accident", since this security body acted according to the law.

While the spokesmen of the Coast Guard assured that all the corresponding persuasive measures were used to prevent the advance of the migrant crew.

“All available methods including use of megaphone, ship's horn, searchlight and flares were used to try and stop the suspect vessel, however the vessel continued to attempt to evade. In accordance with standard protocols, warning shots were then fired ahead of the vessel.”

On the other hand, one of the Venezuelan migrants who was traveling on the boat denied that the events had unfolded as reported by the Trinidad and Tobago authorities.

Below is the official statement reporting the deportation of the 35 migrants:

The Ministry of National Security reports that on the morning of February 11, 2022, in accordance with established protocols, between the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and their Venezuelan counterparts, a repatriation exercise was completed at the border between Trinidad and Tobago. Tobago and Venezuela. Among the people who participated in this repatriation exercise were thirty-five (35) of the thirty-nine (39) Venezuelan citizens, who had entered Trinidad and Tobago illegally on February 06, 2022.

Before their repatriation, all the persons were examined by the competent authorities of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as by representatives of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to guarantee, among other things, that there were no victims of trafficking. of people between them. Cooperation between the Venezuelan authorities, both civil and military, was maintained throughout this exercise. This was to ensure the preservation of the security of the nationals of both nations.

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which, as usual, was the main operating unit in this exercise, ensured that all their efforts were in accordance with the highest standards of professional conduct, in line with government policy. and the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.