The justification of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after the deportation of 16 Venezuelan minors: “We have closed the borders even to our own citizens in this pandemic”

On Sunday the Trinidad and Tobago authorities deported 16 Venezuelan minors, including a four-month-old baby, after denying them refuge and separated from their parents, who were in Caribbean territory. After being missing for more than a day, the group has returned Tuesday in the island republic where though they are detained again.

The attitude of the government of Trinidad and Tobago towards Venezuelan migrants, reflected in this particular episode, drew criticism from the international community, the Venezuelan opposition, students from that country and various civil society organizations.

However, Keith RowleyPrime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday broke the silence on Twitter to defend the actions of his government. “Why should we be surprised?“, he asked himself.” The OAS, under the wrong leadership of its president (Luis) Almagro, he was responsible almost alone for triggering and fueling the current Venezuelan situation and these public officials have practically declared war on Trinidad and Tobago for having been ignorant of not joining Elliott Abrams and President (Donald) Trump in forcing a violent regime change in Venezuela. “

Thus began his wave of messages on social networks. And he continued his leave: “Trinidad and Tobago is currently under the latest assault, using nameless and faceless people armed with innocent children to try to force us to accept their understanding of “refugee status and international treaties”, in which a small island nation of 1.3 million is expected to keep its borders open with a neighbor of 34 million even during a pandemic ”.

So, he stressed: “This is not a question of the OAS, but of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Nowadays we have also closed our borders to our citizens in this pandemic and we would resist all the efforts of others who are willing to force the opening of our borders through illegal immigration ”.

“Under the” humanitarian “rubric, this interpretation, if accepted, will effectively open our borders to all economic migrants, arms traffickers, drug traffickers, human traffickers and South American gang leaders / members,” he said. .

“All they will be asked to do is the 7 mile boat trip and declare that they are ‘refugees’. We wholeheartedly support the work of the United Nations, but this threat and the persistent contempt for the exceptional humanitarian efforts made by the people of Trinidad and Tobago they do not conform to the spirit and purpose of the UNHCR“He continued.

He later claimed that his country, a “small island nation”, was “which facilitated the registration of 16,000 Venezuelan migrants and even as we ourselves struggle to cope with our difficulties, we have given them comfort, help and opportunity.

“If after all this, our nation’s image is tarnished by facilitating the illegal penetration of our borders, then it will surely be the roughest cut of all“He threatened.

And he concluded: “I urge all the people of Trinidad and Tobago to continue to be the humane and caring people we have proven to be, since we do not demonize our immigrant neighbors, but we all continue to be protected by the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. . “.

The 16 minors deported

The 16 Venezuelan minors deported from Trinidad and Tobago last Sunday, of whom there has been no news for more than a day, They arrived in the island republic on Tuesday.

Smolansky, who denounced the situation last Sunday, asked that after the arrival of the 16 minors, including a four-month-old baby, now “their protection and integration” is guaranteed.

In the video you can see many of the minors, some covered with blankets after two days at sea and others drinking water.

Inmate

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner reported via Facebook that the contingent of 27 people, including 16 children, they are detained.

“Twenty-seven illegal Venezuelan immigrants who were detained on Wednesday November 17, 2020 and repatriated to Venezuela on Sunday November 22, returned to Trinidad today (Tuesday)“, Begins the letter from the police.

“Between 13:30 and 14:15, the police received information that several Venezuelans had been seen getting off a boat on Los Iros beach. Officers from the Southwest Division Task Force and Santa Flora Police Station responded and met with 11 adults and 16 children between the ages of 4 months and 17 at the scene. The officers also met with various media staff members who were already on the scene, “he continued.

And I add: “The 27 illegal immigrants were arrested and taken to the Siparia Health Center to be examined from a medical point of view. Investigations revealed that the 27 detainees were part of a group of 29 Venezuelans repatriated to Venezuela on Sunday 22 November 2020. Venezuelan immigrants informed police that there was a court order for them to return to Trinidad. The police are currently conducting interviews ”.

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