Brent Fernández, an agent who was on duty during the police operation, stated that of the 200 Venezuelans detained, approximately half are holders of cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Acnur).
Trinidad and Tobago activist Yesena Gonzalez denounced this Tuesday, July 11, that 200 Venezuelans detained on Sunday in Port of Spain receive “inhumane treatment” by the authorities without access to food, water, or sleeping or toilet facilities.
The human rights defender stated that the Venezuelans were attending an event at the Saint James nightclub on Sunday, July 9, when they were detained and later transferred to the Chaguaramas Heliport, where they remain in custody.
“They whistled and chanted water, water,” González said at a press conference, explaining that some of those affected contacted her and sent her videos.
«My concern right now is the deal. They treat them like animals. They are not given water or food and they have nowhere to do what they have to do (wash and bathe). All I ask is that you treat them with compassion,” the activist claimed.
On the other hand, Brent Fernández, an agent who was on duty during the police operation, stated that of the 200 Venezuelans detained, approximately half are holders of cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (unhcr).
Some of them were released on Sunday morning and had registration cards issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division.
“I saw some of the Venezuelans showing immigration officials these (Acnur) cards, but they were still detained,” Fernández warned.
UNHCR warned in early June that Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers in Trinidad and Tobago continue to be vulnerable to abuse and exploitation and face a multitude of problems.
A total of 16,523 Venezuelans received a permit from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in 2019 that allowed them to live and work in the Caribbean country and which was extended, but without meeting expectations.
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