Attachments
Situation
Caribbean Sub-region:
• In June, R4V in the Caribbean sub-region held Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) workshops with partners and other stakeholders to analyze the results of the data collected for the Refugee and Migrant Needs Analysis (RMNA 2024).
• Aruba remained as Tier 21 per the United States State Department 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, meaning that the country does not meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, but is making significant efforts.
• On 11 June, R4V partners and the Social and Economic Council of Curaçao (SER) organized a meeting to foster an inclusive labour market. Participants discussed challenges and solutions regarding the inclusion of migrants and refugees, highlighting the SER's Manifesto for an inclusive labour market presented in November 2023 to stakeholders.On 13 June, the Prime Minister of Curaçao welcomed the Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and discussing strategic plans related to connectivity and climate change; topics impacting refugees, migrants and host community members alike.
Curaçao was upgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2 Watch List in the U.S. State Department’s 2024 TiP Report. The country did not fully meet trafficking elimination standards but made significant efforts, leading to its upgrade to the Tier 2 Watch List.
• Federal elections in the Dominican Republic on 19 May re-elected the incumbent leader, President Luis Abinader. His new term will begin on 16 August. R4V partners anticipate minor government reshuffling with minimal impact on migration policies. The Dominican Republic remains on the Tier 2 Watch List in the 2024 TIP Report, indicating that while the country does not fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards, it is making significant efforts to do so.
• Regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute pending before the International Court of Justice (ICJ),
Venezuela submitted its case on the merits of the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899. The Government of Guyana has been mobilizing international support and has a December 2024 deadline from the ICJ to respond.
Tensions have eased since the agreement in December 2023, and no impacts on the treatment of Venezuelans were observed during this period. On 20 June, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali expressed readiness to renew diplomatic talks with Venezuela after their elections, emphasizing peaceful dialogue and regional stability while reinforcing border security. Tensions at the Guyana-Venezuela border could impact movements of Venezuelans, potentially leading to further movements and increased humanitarian needs.
• In the 2024 U.S. TIP Report, Guyana maintained its Tier 1 status, reflecting full compliance with the U.S.
Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards.
• At a workshop on the new minimum wage in Trinidad and Tobago, the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT) confirmed that migrant workers in Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to the same benefits as locals, provided they meet the minimum earnings requirement. Eight district offices nationwide opened for public school registration in June, paving the way for 200 Venezuelan children whose parents were registered in the 2019 Migrant Registration Framework to begin school in September 2024. The Ministries of Education and National Security are verifying permits and immunization cards, which had previously halted enrollment.
• Trinidad and Tobago was upgraded to Tier 2 in the 2024 US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report after three years on the Tier 2 Watch List, reflecting efforts to meet the standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.