NATIONAL Transformation Alliance (NTA) political leader Gary Griffith issues a warning about the potential fallout from the political turmoil in neighbouring Venezuela following the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking at a media conference held at the NTA’s office in Mt Lambert on Saturday, Griffith described the situation as a “disaster waiting to happen” that could have severe implications for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) causing a further influx of Venezuelans to Trinidad and Tobago.
Griffith expressed concerns that the worsening situation in Venezuela might lead to another mass influx of desperate Venezuelans seeking a better life in T&T. He highlighted that an increase in undocumented migrants could lead to heightened competition for jobs and exacerbate issues related to human trafficking, prostitution, and child sexual exploitation. Additionally, Griffith warned of the economic strain on key sectors such as health and education.
These sentiments echo the concerns of Venezuelan activist Sofia Figueroa-Leon, who last week voiced similar worries during protests by local Venezuelans against the election results which saw Maduro re-elected amidst claims from the Opposition that they had actually won.
Griffith criticized Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley for allegedly failing to take action as chair of the National Security Council. He argued that a comprehensive plan should already be in place to manage the potential influx of migrants. “We have seven Coast Guard vessels and they should be parked in that south-western peninsula between Venezuela and Trinidad. We should also have all the police stations on high alert,” Griffith stated, advocating for increased patrols by soldiers to monitor for human trafficking and weapon smuggling.
Furthermore, Griffith called upon NGOs, the business community, and the media to hold elected officials accountable. He criticized political leaders for making false statements and urged the media to scrutinize their claims rigorously.
During the conference, the NTA also introduced six constituency custodians who will oversee the management and preparation of constituencies ahead of next year’s general election. The newly appointed custodians are Russel Chan (Diego Martin Central), Gail Castanada (Port-of-Spain South), Nicolene Chinchame (Lopinot/Bon Air), Norman Dindial (Chaguanas East), Errol Fabien (Point Fortin), and Insaf Enightoola (San Juan/Barataria).
