Last Updated on May 1, 2021, 7:49 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Far from the well-established border passages in western Venezuela, shrinking reserves and severe gas shortages have left many increasingly desperate citizens along the Caribbean coast with few options other than a dangerous maritime crossing if they wish to leave.
Only 24 kilometres away, Trinidad and Tobago is an important destination people for some of the millions of Venezuelans who have been longing to leave the country’s economic and humane disaster.
But in order to reach there they are need to cross the Bocas del Dragón (Mouths of the Dragon) – a critical waterway known for human smuggling, narco-trafficking, wrecks, and even crime – before expecting to slip past emigration officials upon arriving in Trinidad.
Shipwrecks have increased in recent years. Three boats were listed missing in 2019, with a total of at least 80 people on board.
Last December, a different vessel sank in rough waters, drowning at least 36 Venezuelans, including several children – the moment so disaster of 2020. And just last week, a boat had 24 Venezuelans bound for Trinidad and Tobago capsized off the same coast, and at least 17 people are expected to be dead.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
