Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has reiterated his administration’s position regarding the repatriation of 82 Venezuelan nationals last week, stating that the twin island republic adhered to the highest standards in handling the matter.
During Thursday’s Post-Cabinet press briefing, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the misinformation currently in the public domain and said that he intends to formally complain to the United Nations about comments made by its representatives, adding that there is a legal process that needs to be followed in Trinidad and Tobago by all potential migrants.
The Prime Minister also said – “the assistance we provide is the assistance we can afford. What is being said is that Trinidad and Tobago has behaved in a manner unbecoming of Trinidad and Tobago and that is not the fact. What we have here in Trinidad and Tobago, we have difficulties in a neighboring state.
“There are people from that state who have difficulties at home. We are generous and caring people. We have arrangements that allow Venezuelans to come to Trinidad and Tobago to stay for a short while, return to Venezuelan, obtain supplies if they have to and so on.”
Rowley noted that as the situation in Venezuela deteriorates, more and more persons have been entering the twin island republic.
“Bear in mind, we are not China, we are not Russia, we are not America. We are a little island, limited space of 1.3 million people and therefore we cannot and will not allow the UN spokespersons to convert us into a refugee camp,” he said.
On Monday, the United Nations said it was concerned for the welfare of the Venezuelans, some of whom had reportedly sought asylum in TT.
In a statement the Government of Trinidad and Tobago expressed “its commitment to treating all persons humanely and fairly and to upholding its international obligations….However, the Government remains cognizant of its responsibility, to look after the national security interests of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” the statement said.
