2,000 Venezuelans leave Trinidad as cost of living rises

(CMR) More than 2,000 Venezuelans who went to Trinidad and Tobago seeking a better life have returned home as the cost of living increases in the twin islands.

According to a Trinidad and Tobago Newsday report, since Trinidad reopened its borders on July 17, 2021, thousands of migrants have left of their own free will.

One of the largest groups to leave reportedly left on the day the border was opened. Close to 700 migrants,  including the sick, unemployed, single mothers, pregnant women and children left on a chartered vessel to head back home.

Hundreds more have also been deported by the government, and an unknown number have been leaving irregularly in small boats.

Some Venezuelans believe their country is now doing better and want to be close to family.

“There are options; some business can be opened in Venezuela. Now the US dollar is being handled a lot there and many companies have reopened. I want to go try my luck in my own country, with my family close by,” Carlos Altuve told Newsday.

He and his brother, Andres, both lawyers, have been in Trinidad for three years and worked in the construction industry there.

Cesar Armao, who had been in Trinidad for three and a half years, told Newsday he was tired of migrating.

“I'm tired of migrating; here, the economy is also changing, the prices of food, transportation, rent, and medicine are going up, while wages for migrants are getting lower and lower,” he said.

“TT is a beautiful country, but unfortunately for migrants, the legal situation and the lack of answers for our children's education and medical care force us to go to other countries,” said Luisa Arcia.

“In Brazil and other countries, legal support for Venezuelans is important. We have identification for several years with work permits, access to bank accounts, driver's licenses, migrant children can study and go to medical consultations in public systems, very different from the treatment we receive in TT. It is incomprehensible that a migrant child, who is not to blame for the things of the world, cannot receive education and health,” she said.