- The Curaçao Maritime Operations Center reported that the event forced the organization to tighten surveillance on the island’s coasts | main photo: @TribunaLibreES
At least 22 Venezuelan migrants, including 14 men, eight women and two minors, were detained by the Curacao Coast Guard on Monday, November 11 when trying to arrive irregularly on the island.
According to local authorities, officials at the Curacao Maritime Operations Center detected “suspicious activity” from a vessel near the island of Klein Curacao.
After that, the coast guard dispatched their boat to try to stop the suspicious ship.
It was learned that the coast guard discovered that the 22 Venezuelans were traveling on the ship, whom they detained and handed over to the Curaçao Police Force for their due immigration process.
Patrolling increased on the coasts of Curacao
The authorities have not offered more details of the migratory journey, such as their final destination or any smuggler who directed them to try to reach Curacao safely.
Given this, local authorities increased patrols on the coasts of Curacao in search of any trace that would lead them to arrest someone responsible for the trip.
“This case remains under investigation while agents worked compiling information about this journey,” police sources indicated in a statement.
The Curaçao Coast Guard indicated that the incident forced them to increase security at the maritime borders to prevent the irregular entry of people on the island.
Missing Venezuelans bound for Curacao
In June 2024, relatives of Venezuelans missing on a sea route to Curacao They asked through the non-governmental organization (NGO) Fundaredes that the case be investigated.
“The slowness and opacity in the investigations show the State’s inattention to these tragedies. The families of the 33 missing people from La Vela and other victims from Nueva Esparta have been crying out for answers since 2029,” the NGO said on its X social network account.
Fundaredes maintained that the relatives of these citizens are experiencing “endless grief,” seeing no progress in the case or actions by the State to determine what happened to the disappeared.
For its part, Provea detailed that one of the boat’s crew appeared dead on a nearby coast two days after departure, however, the whereabouts of the rest of the passengers are unknown until now.
“In the first days the maritime authorities did not provide the necessary support for the search for the missing. It was the fishermen themselves who investigated for their part. The results were unsuccessful, and they did not find any trace of shipwreck,” Provea indicated.
With information from EFE
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#Venezuelan #migrants #detained #reach #Curacao
D lack of urgency in the investigation into the missing persons has been deeply concerning for families and human rights advocates,” one family member expressed. “We need answers and accountability.”
The spike in incidents involving Venezuelan migrants attempting to reach Curacao has raised alarms among local and international organizations about the dangers faced by these individuals during their perilous journeys. Many migrants are fleeing dire economic and political conditions in Venezuela, seeking better opportunities in nearby Caribbean nations like Curacao.
Reports indicate that human trafficking networks are exploiting the desperation of these Venezuelan migrants, often charging exorbitant fees for unsafe and illegal passage to Curacao. This situation has prompted both the Curaçao Coast Guard and local authorities to strengthen their maritime security and patrols to deter such activities and apprehend smugglers.
In conjunction with the increased patrols, international communities are urged to support efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of migration from Venezuela and to provide humanitarian assistance for those affected. The focus remains not only on immediate safety but also on creating sustainable solutions to prevent further loss of life among migrants at sea.
As authorities continue to investigate and take preventive measures, the plight of Venezuelan migrants remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.