Durrant Pate/Contributor

A new report is pointing to growing concerns regarding the situation surrounding Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the Caribbean.

The report stems from a study which was undertaken by the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) to identify current protection needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Aruba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. It also presents recommendations for strengthened protection responses.

The study is presented in line with R4V’s commitment to protection as a central responsibility of its humanitarian response. The results of an R4V study on the protection situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the Caribbean documents areas of concerns while suggesting ways of improving the situation.

The document provides key information to support the Government in understanding the current migration governance systems while highlighting specific identified needs to support informed decision–making to strengthen migration governance that will benefit both the State and migrants.

Report in detail

In Aruba, the study highlights deportations of Venezuelans in an irregular situation continued. It noted that a needs assessment on migration governance was issued by an R4V partner for the country. In the case of the government of Curaꞔao, the report said the administration there is expected to confirm the launch of its migration needs assessment.

It was reported that two nationals were arrested in Venezuela for allegedly trafficking in persons to the Dutch islands. Over in Trinidad and Tobago, local media reported that more than 2,000 Venezuelans who came to Trinidad and Tobago seeking a better life, have returned home due to the cost of living.

In the meantime, attempts to enter Trinidad & Tobago via irregular routes continued to be reported, as well as detentions and returns of Venezuelans in an irregular situation.

The study documented that an infant was shot and killed when the Coast Guard opened fire on a boat transporting refugees and migrants from Venezuela during an irregular entry attempt in February, prompting a joint statement on the issue. The incident provoked protests by Venezuelans in front of the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Caracas.

Referring to this incident, the prime minister said that the Coast Guard was protecting Trinidad and Tobago’s border in the fight against human trafficking when the child was fatally injured.

In his speech, the prime minister made a reference to a gender and crime document published in Venezuela, indicating that trafficking in persons seemed to be on the decline in other countries apart from Trinidad and Tobago, where the demand for prostitution was high.

R4V partners emphasised the need to help victims of trafficking to start a new life and spotlighted the issue through key advocacy messages and featured survivor stories during this reporting period.