Gary slams NSC: Expect influx of Venezuelans amid election turmoil

NATIONAL Transformation Alliance (NTA) leader Gary Griffith has predicted an impending influx of tens of thousands of Venezuelans after the controversial re-election of the South American country’s president Nicolas Maduro on July 28.

Griffith, who hosted a media conference at the NTA’s Mt Lambert headquarters on August 3, warned about potential economic and national security repercussions if the National Security Council (NSC) fails to take the matter seriously.

He said it is “quite likely that because of the volatile situation…the fear of political victimisation (and) the fear that the lifestyle would get even worse in Venezuela…there is going to be a virtual influx of tens upon tens of thousands of Venezuelans entering Trinidad and Tobago illegally, based on desperation, based on a need for a better lifestyle.”

He said he holds nothing against migrants, who are seeking better living conditions, but is more concerned about TT citizens.

“There hasn’t been one finger lifted from the National Security Council.”

Griffith complained about the coast guard vessels docked on Staubles Bay needing repairs. “Several of them should be, right now, on that southwestern peninsula between Venezuela and Trinidad.”

Griffith accused the PM of spending more time boasting that he is head of the council than doing the job.

“In most countries, when you have someone who is (on the NSC), he will have some training, qualification or experience in the field.”

He argued that no one on TT’s National Security Council has training, qualification, or experience “in any type of leadership operational capability (pertaining) to law enforcement.

“What is happening now in Venezuela, we’re seeing a situation where (the NSC) are not looking steps ahead.

“That is what security is about – proactive thinking and (ensuring) we can prepare for an eventuality before it happens.”

Griffith called the news conference to announce six "constituency custodians," who will manage the districts and canvassing ahead of the next general election.

However, he spoke extensively about national security matters and the government’s failure, particularly that of the NSC, to prevent another influx of undocumented migrants.

He said the situation in Venezuela presents an active threat to the stability of TT’s economy, the healthcare and education systems and the security of citizens.

“The lack of job opportunities for both locals and migrants will also exacerbate crime, human trafficking, and exploitation of minors and women in particular, which are consequences that this government seems oblivious to,” Griffith said in a statement preceding the press conference.

“Despite these clear and present dangers, however, we see no deployment of Coast Guard vessels to monitor our southwestern waters, no heightened alertness among our police units, and no strategic use of technology such as drones to prevent illegal entries or…soldiers deployed and patrolling places known for entry points of boats transporting illegal immigrants.”

Griffith said this “negligence” showcases a lack of foresight and readiness by the NSC and other heads of protective services “who seem more interested in finding anything on legal firearms, casting aspersions on the SSA, checking for tinted vehicles and having roadblocks for several hours, than in doing duties that the NSC was actually constituted for.”

Maduro’s declared victory will see him serve a third six-year term, starting in January 2025. The results, however, have been widely disputed by local and international observers, including neighbouring countries, citing a lack of transparency, voting irregularities and outright fraud.

Thousands of Venezuelans migrated to TT and other parts of the region after Maduro was re-elected in 2018.