Minister Stuart Young: Venezuelan Drownings Due To Human Smuggling

National Security Minister Stuart Young has dismissed claims that the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard turned away Venezuelan Nationals who drowned near Guiria last week.

Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, Mr. Young said he’s aware more bodies were found on the shoreline of Venezuela, and confirmed that the T&T Government has been in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities. However, he refuted claims that the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard had any involvement in the matter.

On Saturday, the T&T Coast Guard confirmed in a statement that 11 Venezuelans, including children, drowned on their way to Trinidad, while Venezuela’s Government reportedly stated that three more bodies were found on a beach on Sunday.

According to the BBC, they are thought to have been part of a group of more than 20 Venezuelans who boarded a boat on December 6th to flee economic hardship in their homeland.

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