Foreign Affairs Minister Amery Browne has revealed that a number of issues were raised with Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Amador Perez Silva, following their recent meeting.
Silva made a courtesy call to Browne’s Ministry and the issue of illegal crossings from Venezuela to T&T and the follow-up visit by T&T experts to the Nabarima oil tanker were among the topics discussed.
Browne said “I did use the opportunity to raise with the ambassador a range of current issues, including the illegal crossings from Venezuela and the necessary follow-up regarding the floating storage vessel Nabarima.”
However, he did not disclose the responses of the Ambassador.
TT was highlighted internationally in a not too pleasant light, following the illegal entry of a group of 27 Venezuelans, including minors. This has led to a series of court matters.
His ministry said it’s anticipating a formal response from the National Security Ministry for the proposed virtual meeting with Venezuelan Internal Security Affairs officials. Venezuela last week presented a request for the meeting through Browne’s ministry,
National Security Minister Stuart Young said it’s a continuation of a previous meeting held several months ago with the same Venezuelan authorities on security, human mobility and the fight against crime and drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the follow-up visit to the Nabarima issue is still up in the air.
A T&T team of experts had visited the vessel on October 20 to inspect it and found the vessel upright and in no danger of sinking. But they did recommended a follow-up visit a month later, which has yet to materialise.
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