Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
The La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre is urging both local and international authorities to safeguard the rights of Venezuelan migrants and asylum seekers in T&T, amid growing fears of deportation and escalating diplomatic tensions between Port-of-Spain and Caracas.
La Casita managing director Andreina Briceño Ventura-Brown said yesterday that misinformation and fear have spread rapidly through Venezuelan communities following recent Government statements about deportation and the temporary closure of UNHCR’s local office.
“People are now afraid they could be deported or sent back to Venezuela,” she told reporters at the Arima facility, adding some asylum-seekers fear persecution if returned.
Briceño Ventura-Brown warned that this climate of confusion is disrupting protection and resettlement pathways, including cases where individuals had sought or been referred for third-country solutions through the UN Refugee Agency. She noted that UNHCR has limited resettlement options and stressed the urgent need for legal alternatives for refugees in the country.
“This misinformation is misleading the population and undermines the protection process. Many people who hold UNHCR cards may still face harassment or persecution because they are considered irregular under local laws. That is one of our biggest concerns,” she said.
Over the past decade, T&T has become a primary destination for Venezuelans fleeing political and economic turmoil. Government data and UN estimates suggest more than 30,000 Venezuelan nationals currently reside in T&T, many without formal legal status.
In 2019, the government introduced a one-time registration programme allowing Venezuelans to live and work temporarily. However, advocates say many migrants remain in legal limbo, as the policy has not been permanently regularised. Rising tensions between Port-of-Spain and Caracas have further complicated the humanitarian landscape.
Briceño Ventura-Brown emphasised that La Casita’s work is grounded in human rights principles.
“Our position is guided by human dignity, non-discrimination, international protection, and the rule of law, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the American Convention on Human Rights, and Trinidad and Tobago’s international commitments through the UN and cooperation with UNHCR and IOM,” she said.
She also recognised the national legal framework, including the responsibilities of the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Children’s Authority, and the constitutional guarantee of protection for all persons in the territory, regardless of nationality or migration status.
However, Briceño Ventura-Brown cautioned that rising diplomatic tensions should not compromise human rights.
“This increase in diplomatic tensions between both countries must not result in a deterioration of rights or safety for migrant families,” she said.
She outlined La Casita’s key concerns, including “the vulnerability of women, children, and girls who already face exploitation and social exclusion” and “the potential for deportations that constitute illegal refoulement, violating international law and Trinidad and Tobago’s commitments.”
Briceño Ventura-Brown also cited “systematic persecution and psychological harassment,” warning that these practices severely affect the mental health and well-being of migrants and refugees.
“Such practices violate fundamental human rights, including the right to security, dignity, and protection against cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment,” she said.
She urged authorities to respect the principle of non-refoulement, ensure migrants’ access to basic services, education and healthcare without discrimination.
“We must prioritise the well-being of families who have made T&T their home and strengthen cooperation with organisations on the front lines,” she said.
