Death danger from illegal Venezuelans

THE EDITOR: Keeping the TT borders closed is as important as mask-wearing in this pandemic. It is not the only cure for restricting the virus but also the very real threat of TT being overwhelmed by an influx of illegal, desperate Venezuelans.

President Nicolás Maduro has said on social media that he hopes to be able to pay for vaccines for his citizens through the sale of oil. How difficult and how long will this exercise take? His problem is ours because we are separated from Venezuela by only seven nautical miles.

While we will no doubt vaccinate the thousands of registered Venezuelans, what about the hidden numbers of unregistered illegals? They most likely will not come forward and will remain cowering out of sight, with horrible consequences for all.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, not known to mince his words, has expressed concern about the bordering-on-hysterical small fines meted out to Venezuelans as punishment for illegal entry – $1,000 and $2,000 are indeed joke money. Why should we commit economic and political suicide regarding the Venezuelan question?

The pandemic remains very real. Countries in the First World have recommenced shutting down borders. The third wave of covid19 infections has arrived.

A return to seriously following all protocols will not help us if we do not acknowledge that illegal Venezuelans have to be repatriated forthwith. TT reacted vigorously to the horrible murder of Andrea Barrett. How should we react when the danger of untimely death is to an entire nation vulnerable to being swamped by an invasion of Venezuelans seeking sanctuary?

LYNETTE JOSEPH

Diego Martin