Over 150 Venezuelans deported from Trinidad and Tobago

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago said on Saturday that it deported 160 Venezuelans who entered the island illegally.

However, a High Court judge stopped the immediate deportation of 19 other persons.

The Ministry of National Security advised of the deportation of 160 Venezuelan nationals and said that the exercise was carried out in agreement with the Venezuelan authorities.

The Ministry added that the deportation was in compliance with the laws of the Trinidad and Tobago and they fulfiled the Government policy.

Stuart Young, National Security Minister, said that he came to know that some lawyers approached a High Court Judge, ex parte and that the Judge made some orders regarding some Venezuelans who were in Trinidad and Tobago illegally.

According to the Minister, the state was not represented at the hearing, and the Minister spoke to Attorney General Faris Al Rawi for this matter to be addressed appropriately.

Meanwhile, Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams, High Court judge, stopped the immediate deportation of 19 Venezuelans on Saturday,

Media reports said that those people were among a larger group who were on a boat and were awaiting deportation to Caracas.

Attorneys Criston J Williams, Kerina Samdeo and Jerome Riley filed judicial review applications challenging their deportation and detention at the state quarantine facility in Chaguaramas.