Copyright trinidadexpress
Fisherfolk in Cedros, who were chased by the Venezuelan Coast Guard while fishing in Trinidad and Tobago waters on Friday, believe that the docking of the USS Gravely in Port of Spain today will offer them a layer of protection. They say that for far too long, they have been unfairly targeted by Venezuela’s Coast Guard. The USS Gravely, a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, will moor in Port of Spain from today until October 30, where it will conduct joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). Its arrival comes amid an expanded US naval and military presence in the Caribbean, Washington’s sanctioning of Venezuelan gangs as designated global terrorists, and the classification of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as their leader. It also follows at least ten lethal US boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific that have reportedly killed at least 43 people. A fisherman from the community of Fullarton, who requested anonymity, told the Express yesterday that he fully supports the warship’s visit. “I have no problem with the warship that comes from the US. I will feel safe. I will feel good. Let them come and do their work,” he said. He said that on Friday, he and several other fishermen were chased by a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel even while they were fishing in Trinidad and Tobago’s waters. “We ventured into Trinidad waters around 8 a.m. Just so, I see this boat coming from far down inside Venezuela waters. I keep watching because I know it wasn't something to trust. I take up my anchor and I start my two engines and I was driving easy and watching,” he said. He added that in addition to his boat, there were four others fishing nearby. “The other fellas didn't see it yet, but when they see how I moving, they start to move too. Then, the Venezuelan boat start to chase we down. I was the first boat they start to chase,” he continued. He said he was nearing land, with the Venezuelan Coast Guard continuing to tail them into T&T waters, when the vessel was intercepted by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) and forced to turn back. He noted that such incidents were common. “This is not the first time this happened. They always chase we down. I am accustomed to that,” he said. However, he admitted that there was some fear among fishermen about the US warship’s presence. “Some fishermen are worried. They fraid war break out,” he said. Among those expressing concern was an Icacos fisherman, who also requested anonymity. “The sentiment on the ground is that people have the perception that we are preparing for war, and that T&T is not in a position to have a war. So, we don't think that US boat would make things safer. Fishermen won’t be safer. We are too close to Venezuela,” he said.
