The Aruban authorities continue with the investigations to find out what the objective of these rafters was and where they would take 28 exotic animals that they kept in captivity. The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains flight restrictions for passengers, cargo, mail and general aviation between Venezuela and the island, a territory that, together with Bonaire and Curaçao, are under the jurisdiction of that European nation.
The Aruba Coast Guard intercepted a boat with 22 people from Venezuela, who also transported 28 exotic animals, at dawn this Saturday, August 27.
In cooperation with the Aruban Police Force (KPA), the ship was intercepted after being detected in Aruban territorial waters.
Twenty men and two women were traveling on the boat. The coastguard also found two monkeys and 26 parakeets, which were handed over to the Aruba Veterinary Service for inspection and safekeeping.
The authorities continue with the investigations to find out what the objective of these rafters was and where they would take the animals in captivity.
The smuggling of exotic animals is very frequent towards the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Last year, 33 Venezuelans were also intercepted carrying a monkey, a turtle and five parrots in a sack, considered exotic and part of illegal sales in Curaçao.
*Also read: UN raises to 6.8 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees worldwide
The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintain flight restrictions of passengers, cargo, mail and general aviation between Venezuela and the island of Aruba, a territory that together with Bonaire and Curaçao are under the jurisdiction of that European nation. This has contributed to the increase in illegal boats to those islands, most of them transporting Venezuelans seeking better socioeconomic conditions.
Representatives of Aruba and Curaçao hold meetings with the administration of Nicolás Maduro to achieve the maritime reopening between the ABC islands and Venezuela, as confirmed by the Prime Minister of Aruba, Evelyn Wever-Croes, in her management report for the year 2021 presented in June of 2022.
“Several meetings have been held to discuss the possibilities of expanding the limits, reopening and restoring trade relations and travel opportunities (…) Currently, the reopening of the maritime border with Venezuela is being carried out,” said the Prime Minister, according to Caribbean Chronicles.
With information from the whistle
Post Views:
456
