In the tranquil village of Cedros, located in the extreme southwest of Trinidad, fishermen are grappling with an unprecedented crisis. Just a stone’s throw from Venezuela, these fishermen find themselves ensnared in the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States, exacerbated by recent US naval deployments and military exercises in the region. The once-peaceful waters have become a battleground of geopolitical strife, leaving the local fishing community in a precarious position.
Fishermen in Cedros, who traditionally ply their trade in the serene waters of the Caribbean, now face heightened risks. Venezuelan coast guard patrols have intensified, reportedly repelling Trinidadian fishing vessels with violence and increasing incidents of extortion. This has severely curtailed their access to Venezuelan territorial waters, where they once operated undisturbed. As a result, their yields and incomes have dwindled, pushing many to the brink of economic hardship.
The situation has been further complicated by US-led anti-drug operations in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have targeted boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. These operations have claimed the lives of at least 62 individuals, including some Trinidadian fishermen, according to mourning families. While the Trinidadian government has not confirmed these identities, the fear of being mistakenly targeted has forced many fishermen to reduce their activities. ‘You have to take a chance,’ said Rakesh Ramdass, a 42-year-old fisherman. ‘But at sea, anything can happen.’
The diplomatic standoff between the US and Venezuela has also strained relations between Trinidad and Tobago and its South American neighbor. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of aligning too closely with the US, labeling the nation ‘an aircraft carrier of the American empire.’ This rhetoric has only heightened tensions, with Caracas viewing the US naval deployment as a potential precursor to regime change under the guise of anti-drug operations.
For the fishermen of Cedros and nearby villages like Icacos, the situation is dire. Many have scaled back their activities, fearing both Venezuelan patrols and US-led operations. ‘Better safe than sorry,’ remarked Alexsi Soomai, a 63-year-old fisherman from Icacos. The village, a common arrival point for undocumented Venezuelan migrants, has also felt the ripple effects of the crisis. Families like that of Yacelis Garcia, who fled Venezuela six years ago, now rely solely on fishing for their livelihood. However, the current political climate has made even this precarious source of income increasingly uncertain.
As the US-Venezuela tensions continue to simmer, the fishermen of Trinidad and Tobago remain caught in the crossfire, their lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance. The once-thriving fishing communities now face an uncertain future, with no end to the crisis in sight.