Venezuelans protest at Trinidad and Tobago embassy in Caracas

Venezuelan students and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) protested on Tuesday in front of the Trinidad and Tobago embassy in Caracas.

The group, holding banners, gathered to voice their feelings over the death by drowning of over 20 people near the coast of Guiria, Venezuela. Their boat capsized last week when they tried to come to TT illegally.

Lutsay Franco, secretary of the Federation of University Centres of the Central University of Venezuela, told local media the protesters' objective was "to reject the indolence of the TT authorities in the face of the deaths that occurred at sea between the two countries.

“How many unknown cases have there been?" she asked. "Now we know about these deaths because the news was published in the media."

She accused the TT authorities of madness in the face of numerous requests.

Franco also claimed, "The government of TT has ignored the allegations of mistreatment of Venezuelans on the island(s)."

The protesters were joined by deputy in the National Assembly Edwin Luzardo, who said he delivered a document at the TT embassy.

"We demand respect for our compatriots in that country. We will always reject that nation's mistreatment of our brothers, (and demand) that so much violence and humiliation cease," said Luzardo.