Venezuelans in TT organising return home

A group of Venezuelans who are in TT have begun to arrange their return home.

Although the borders are still closed by covid19, refugees and visitors expect the authorities in TT and Venezuela to grant them a special permit to return.

Adrian Tineo, one of the promoters of the Venezuelan initiative, told Newsday that for now the only option for going home is a charter flight.

"The option of a humanitarian flight is ruled out right now. However, we hope that if those of us who need to return home organise, we could get governments to open the doors for us," explained Tineo.

Tineo, who had been visiting TT, was stranded when the government of Venezuela closed the borders on March 17 as a preventive measure against covid19. He and his compatriots in the same situation began to hope they could return soon last week when the two governments approved an exemption so that 30 Trinidadians in Venezuela could come home.

"Many people want to return, not only those who are stranded: there are pregnant women, sick people who are alone without the support of anyone here."

He said as a first step they created a WhatsApp group that now includes more than 100 people.

"We are preparing a list with all those who want and have the ability to leave. It is not a humanitarian trip, it is a paid flight and that is why the list must be confirmed first," he said.

The group is trying to fill the 117-passenger quota of the private jet they would rent.

"We made contacts with representatives of an airline and they are willing to help us, but we must meet the requirements to continue the process."

The price of tickets is still unknown, but is estimated at US$100-200 per person, depending on whether they fill the 117 seats.

Edgar Tineo, who is the promoter and main organiser of the group of Venezuelans who want to return to their country, said once the list was confirmed they would ask the Venezuelan embassy in TT to start the process of getting permits.

On June 12, the Venezuelan government extended the border closure for 30 days.

That same night, the 30 Trinidadians were able to return from Venezuela on a charter flight which cost them US$1,000 each.

The Venezuelans here had asked their embassy for help to return on the same plane, but did not get the exemption. The plane, owned by the Rutaca airline, returned empty to Caracas.

Ambassador Carlos Pérez said his office has two lists with almost 200 people waiting to return to their homeland, but everything will depend on the health authorities and the Venezuelan government.