Dr Browne: T&T is a good neighbour, but we cannot simply open borders to Venezuelans


“[…] This hospitality continues even as our economy faces significant challenges that have affected all our people…

“[…] Even developed nations with far greater resources face major challenges dealing with crossings of their borders, and no nation accepts non-nationals without due process…”

The following statement on the government response to Venezuelan migration was released by Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne: 

Photo: Venezuelan refugee shows passport at Brazilian checkpoint.

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a sovereign nation that is doing its utmost to overcome a pandemic that remains a clear and present danger to the globe. As a small island state, we have compassionately taken the unprecedented step of officially registering and facilitating over 16,000 migrants from Venezuela to live and work in Trinidad and Tobago.

This hospitality continues even as our economy faces significant challenges that have affected all our people. Everywhere you go in Trinidad and Tobago you find our Venezuelan brothers and sisters living, working, being educated, and engaging fully with our health care system and other sectors. We assert that this reality must be well known and acknowledged by all responsible parties.

There is another reality affecting our sovereign nation, and that is the flagrant disregard for our nation’s borders by drug runners, gun runners, human traffickers, others linked to organised crime in South America, and specifically by mercenaries who contribute to the exploitation of women and children and profit directly from the facilitation of illegal crossings. These exploiters do not seek the genuine interest of those they profit from, and they have no qualms about adjusting their strategies to take advantage of any loopholes that may be created by others.

In the current circumstances, our nation simply cannot open its borders or reduce protections for the health and welfare of our people. Even developed nations with far greater resources face major challenges dealing with crossings of their borders, and no nation accepts non-nationals without due process.

Photo: Venezuelans flee to neighbouring Colombia.

Trinidad and Tobago has always been a good neighbour and hospitable land, and this will not change. We have neither inclination to be drawn into the internal political contests of other countries, nor are we disposed to respond to their various participants.

Our local courts are now engaged in consideration of a recent situation involving the crossing of our borders by a boat transporting both adults and minors. We await the full determination of this matter within our legal system and reserve the right to make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the law and in pursuit of the best interests of our nation.

More from Wired868
Vaneisa: In this land of immigrants, Trinbagonians should show compassion to Venezuelans

Our national boast is a beautiful one. Here in this republic of the new world, we are perhaps one of Read more

Gilkes: Why T&T should be wary of USA’s “gift” of Venezuela’s Dragon Field

Is it too late to post this? Our 9-day memory cycle kicked in already? I was thinking we should forget Read more

“He used calypso music to define calypso music”; Caricom honours iconic calypsonian, David Rudder

“[…] From the very first note, a Rudder song grabs your soul, and never lets it go. He gave us Read more

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ‘refutes erroneous and libellous statements by Watson Duke’ against PM

“[…] Mr Watson Duke may wish to withdraw his statement about investigation of the Prime Minister, which is erroneous, libellous Read more

Orin: Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana need ‘reset’ from lingering political animosities

“[…] When the incumbent David Granger administration tried to stop the party of Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali from taking Read more

Dear Editor: Opposition Leader, not T&T citizens, must be ashamed; Kamla must apologise

“[...] The refugee crisis in Venezuela was not spawned by any government in T&T, either past or present. We are Read more

About Letters to the Editor

Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com. Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation. We don't publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.

Check Also

More transmissible, not necessarily more severe; new Covid-19 strain, JN.1, reaches T&T

Trinidad and Tobago recorded its first case of new Covid-19 variant, JN.1, according to Carpha …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.