Tensions surrounding Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) have escalated dramatically following a recent government crackdown on irregular migration. On October 27, the Ministry of Homeland Security issued a stern directive mandating the detention and deportation of all undocumented migrants, stating that no further Orders of Supervision would be issued. This announcement has sent shockwaves through the Venezuelan community, prompting widespread fear, displacement, and a mass exodus from the country.
Many Venezuelans, both documented and undocumented, have begun selling their belongings, abandoning their rented homes, and quitting their jobs in factories, farms, and workshops. The Hispanic Cultural Centre La Casita in Arima has urged the government and society to remain calm, warning against what it describes as a ‘migrant hunt.’ Andreina Briceño Ventura-Brown, the center’s director, highlighted the spread of misinformation and the vulnerability of even those holding UNHCR cards, who may still face harassment under local laws.
Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are flooded with posts from Venezuelans selling appliances, motorbikes, and furniture as they prepare to leave. Mariana Lopez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan in Arima, shared her decision to sell her possessions and move to Brazil, stating, ‘I don’t want to be caught and sent back. I’ll go to Brazil even if I have to start from zero.’ Similarly, Jesus Andrade, a mechanic in San Fernando, quit his job, fearing detention.
The government’s measures have drawn criticism for lacking compassion. Rosa Medina, a mother of two, lamented, ‘They talk about human rights, but they show no humanity to us. Many of us have been here for years working and paying taxes.’ Eduardo Ramirez was more blunt, accusing the government of double standards: ‘This government wants Venezuela’s gas but treats Venezuelans here like garbage.’
Even Venezuelans with legal status face challenges. One family with valid work permits revealed that their children are unable to attend school due to bureaucratic delays in processing student visas. ‘The kids lose classes while the Ministry of Homeland Security doesn’t respond,’ they said.
The exodus extends beyond TT, with many Venezuelans planning to relocate to countries like Guyana, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, where governments are welcoming Venezuelan workers and investors. Travel agencies in Venezuela and TT have reported a surge in ticket requests, with entire families purchasing one-way tickets. Luis Arias, a travel agent in Venezuela, noted that requests from Venezuelans in TT to travel to Brazil, Argentina, and Guyana have tripled in recent weeks.
Before the UNHCR ceased operations in TT in August 2025, the country hosted over 40,000 Venezuelans under various forms of humanitarian protection. Today, social media is rife with posts like ‘Selling fridge and bed – leaving for Brazil’ and ‘Urgent sale of motorcycle, need to leave before November.’ For many Venezuelans, TT was once a land of opportunity. Now, they are fleeing in fear, leaving behind their livelihoods and dreams.