Attachments
Situation
The Venezuelan Elections and the Caribbean
The Venezuelan presidential elections on 28 July 2024 sparked regional responses due to contested results and claims of irregularities. In July, Aruban authorities announced a one-month extension of the border closure with Venezuela, likely related to the election in Venezuela. Curaçao authorities met on 15 August to assess the situation, emphasizing readiness to act, including managing potential arrivals from Venezuela and ensuring border security. The government of the Dominican Republic, during the inauguration of President Luis Abinader on 16 August, led the Santo Domingo Declaration, signed by 22 countries including the United States of America (U.S.A). and Canada which called for respect for democratic principles, human rights, and fundamental freedoms for all Venezuelans. The Venezuelan Embassy in the Dominican Republic closed after diplomatic personnel were withdrawn, leading to peaceful demonstrations. The Guyanese government supported transparent verification of election results, aligning with democratic principles, while Trinidad and Tobago maintained neutrality, emphasizing diplomacy, international law, and non-intervention. CARICOM declared the elections an internal matter, with limited regional consensus on the disputed outcomes.
The Refugee and Migrants Needs Analysis (RMNA) 2024
The Refugee and Migrant Needs Analysis (RMNA) 2024 was launched in Panama on 5 September 2024. It encapsulates comprehensive, evidence-based data on refugee and migrant needs across the 17 R4V countries. It uses over 14,000 household surveys and the Multidimensional Poverty Index to inform the 2025-2026 Refugees and Migrants Response Plan (RMRP). According to R4V’s Needs Analysis, the primary needs of refugees and migrants residing in the Caribbean are access to integration, protection, shelter, and health. The RMNA Caribbean Sub-regional Platform chapter can be found on pages 225-247.
Other Highlights:
• The closure of the Venezuelan Embassy in the Dominican Republic resulted in Venezuelans unable to access essential consular services such as passport renewals, documentation, and visa applications.
Combined with the suspension of direct flights between the two countries, this has deepened isolation and has caused increased anxiety and uncertainty among the community.
• In Guyana, incidents involving Venezuelans highlighted ongoing challenges faced by this population. A 47-year-old Guyanese man was remanded for the alleged murder of a 23-year-old Venezuelan woman, whose body was found on 7 July 2024 with a gunshot wound. Additionally, 19 Venezuelans were charged with illegal fishing in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); some pleaded guilty and received fines, while others await further investigations. In September, R4V partners reported an increase in beneficiaries seeking assistance compared to previous months.
• In Trinidad and Tobago, a series of immigration operations resulted in the detention of 65 Venezuelans for irregular entry or suspected immigration violations. In July, police detained five irregular migrants and asylum-seekers during a planned operation and transferred them to the Immigration Division for further investigation. On 11 August, local police and immigration officials detained 49 Venezuelans in a coordinated effort, highlighting the ongoing enforcement of immigration laws. In September, police detained 11 refugees and migrants (among whom were some Venezuelans) and fined five of them TTD 5,000 (approximately USD 740). Six of them are awaiting court proceedings.
• In August, partners in Trinidad and Tobago reported that a dozen asylum-seekers cited the aftermath of Venezuela’s elections as their reason for leaving their country of origin.
• During a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis emphasized the UN's role in fostering dialogue in Venezuela, noting that involvement depends on all parties' willingness to engage.