By Antonio Dey | HGP Regional News|
T&T’s Venezuelan Migrants Left in the Dark
Concerns are mounting in Trinidad and Tobago over the status of Venezuelan migrants facing deportation, detention, or criminal charges, amid the rollout of a new migrant registration programme.
Venezuelan activist Yesenia Gonzalez has written to Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security, urging greater clarity and transparency. According to reports in the Trinidad Express, Gonzalez questioned what would become of migrants already under deportation orders, those currently detained, or individuals serving sentences for minor offences.
She noted that the public has not been informed whether these migrants will appear before the courts, qualify for registration under the expanded programme, or be granted temporary relief. Gonzalez criticised the lack of official communication, warning that “detention without transparency, timelines, or communication is neglect,” particularly at a time when instability in Venezuela continues to drive migration pressures.
Ex–St Vincent Prime Minister Warns of Economic Fallout
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has sharply criticised the foreign policy direction of the newly elected New Democratic Party (NDP) government, warning it could place the country on a path toward economic instability.
Speaking on Monday, Gonsalves argued that the administration’s proposed shift in diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, coupled with plans to pursue a citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programme, amounted to what he described as “unnecessary and reckless” policymaking.
He cautioned that the White House already views CBI programmes as potential security risks, and warned that proceeding along that path could bring “great pain” to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines in an increasingly volatile global environment.
Iran Acknowledges High Death Toll in Unrest
On the international front, an Iranian official has acknowledged for the first time that approximately 2,000 people have been killed during nearly two weeks of nationwide unrest in Iran.
Speaking to Reuters, the unnamed official said the fatalities include both protesters and security personnel, attributing the violence to what were described as “terrorist elements.” No detailed breakdown of the deaths was provided.
The admission comes amid intense international scrutiny of Iran’s crackdown on protests, with rights groups continuing to raise concerns about the scale of force used by authorities.
