The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced plans to deport 200 illegal Venezuelan immigrants as part of a broader initiative to combat criminal activities within the country. The Ministry of Homeland Security has issued a directive mandating that all undocumented migrants be held at the Immigration Detention Centre pending deportation. This policy, which takes immediate effect, supersedes previous practices of placing illegal immigrants on Orders of Supervision. The decision was formalized in a memo signed by Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security, and will remain in force until further notice. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the deportation targets only those illegal immigrants who have committed criminal offenses, regardless of nationality. She clarified that the policy does not apply to children and is specifically aimed at individuals detained in jails or detention centers for criminal activities. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, particularly over the U.S. military presence in the region. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently suspended all energy agreements between the two nations, accusing Trinidad and Tobago of supporting U.S. efforts to instigate regime change in Venezuela. The deportation policy reflects the government’s broader strategy to address illegal immigration, which has been linked to rising criminality in the country.