Venezuelans flee to Trinidad
Someone visiting Trinidad for the first time and strolling through Woodbrook or St James might think that Spanish is the first language of this country.
While Spanish was, in fact, the first European language spoken here, introduced over 500 years ago, nowadays immigrants from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Chile are arriving here in large numbers.
Most of them are Venezuelans who are seeking economic opportunities and learning English. Some are trying to escape the political and economic instability of their homeland.
Cubans work in the health sector and in agriculture as professionals, the Peruvians and Chileans as construction workers while Colombians, Argentines and those from the Dominican Republic are here for work or business.
Many Venezuelans are severe critics of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who they accuse of trampling on the rights of his people and planning to establish a left-wing dictatorship in the fashion of Communist-ruled Cuba.
But some of them say Chavez is respecting the rules of democracy while pursuing “a peaceful revolution” on behalf of the poor.
The Trinidad and Tobago economy is seen as better managed, more prosperous and stable than its South American neighbour.
Thousands of Venezuelans now live and work here and some complain they are not well treated.
Most of them are unskilled workers and some are illegally employed and are paid low wages.
Others are studying English and are hoping to find better jobs when they return home, hopefully, after Chavez is out of power.
Like immigrants everywhere, the Venezuelans have problems adjusting to a new culture, especially if they do not speak the language properly; if at all.
This adjustment is more difficult for those without higher education and most of the Venezuelans find it difficult to mix with locals and hang out with their own kind.
Venezuelans, particularly, those who live in the big cities, tend to be provincial and xenophobic.
They dislike Argentines and Colombians, accusing the former of being arrogant and the latter of being dishonest.
Those with Trinidad connections find the adjustment easier.
Elio Redman who owns an Import-Export company in Caracas is among scores of Venezuelan businessmen who have visited Trinidad over the past decade seeking businesses opportunities.
Redman was born in Trinidad and his Venezuelan mother took her family to Venezuela over 50 years ago.
Redman, who speaks English fluently, told his Trinidadian relatives that Chavez’ foreign exchange controls and other policies were stifling business initiative and damaging the economy.
Two of his Venezuelan cousins from southern Venezuela also came here recently to study English and expressed great dislike of Chavez.
One of them, Jose Miguel Trejo, a lawyer, said Chavez aimed to turn Venezuela, into a leftwing dictatorship.
He said he and his family were trying to migrate to Canada.
Raul Lezama, who was born in Trinidad and lived in Venezuela for the past 40 years, recently returned to Trinidad to seek work and accused Chavez of being despotic and said the Venezuelan President had committed high treason by trying to overthrow Perez’ elected government.
“He is an outlaw and has managed to hold on to power by appealing to the base instincts of voters by emphasizing race and class issues.
Nataly M, who did not want her full name used, said she was an university graduate from Margarita and came here because she was denied work at home because she voted against Chavez.
She said that many other Venezuelans have experienced similar discrimination for opposing Chavez.
However, a Trini-Venezuelan businessman who also asked not to be identified said Chavez was the best hope for the poor in Venezuela to advance socially and economically and was disliked by those who wanted to preserve their privileged status.
Several Peruvians are working in the construction industry here and one of them told TNTINSIDER that he had never heard about Trinidad until a few years ago.
“Some Venezuelans visiting Lima told me one day that many Venezuelans were emigrating to a small wealthy island near Venezuela where English is spoken.”
“I came here out of curiosity and am glad that I did,” he concluded.
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One Response to “Venezuelans flee to Trinidad”
Socialist policies will always casue more harm than good. The nanny state system has never worked anywhere. A government that govern’s less, governs best.