The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has revealed that an infant was killed during their pursuit of a vessel that crossed the border between T&T and Venezuela. The mother of the child who was also shot as the TTCG took evasive action after being threatened by the vehicle was taken to a local health facility.

Take a look at the full statement from the TTCG below:

“While conducting patrols along the South Coast of Trinidad just before midnight on Saturday 5th February 2022, TTS SCARBOROUGH detected a vessel that crossed the border between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. This vessel was subsequently pursued and attempted to evade TTS SCARBOROUGH whose ship’s boat was launched to aid in the interception. All available methods were used including the use of the loud hailer, ship’s horn, searchlight and flares, to try to get the suspect vessel to stop, however, the vessel continued to attempt to evade TTS SCARBOROUGH. In keeping with standard protocols, warning shots ahead of the vessel were next employed. This measure also proved futile. At this time, the ship’s boat from TTS SCARBOROUGH attempted to intercept the vessel, however, the vessel continued with aggressive manoeuvres, first coming into contact with the ship’s boat and then making attempts to ram it.

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is very familiar with the catastrophic results that can occur when ramming is used as an evasive technique since twice before in the recent past Coast Guard interceptors have been rammed by suspect vessels resulting in total loss of the interceptor in one incident and major damage to the hull and interior of the other interceptor in the second incident. In both incidents, the lives of the interceptor crews were put at risk since they narrowly escaped major injury and death. On this current occasion, the ramming effort by the suspect vessel which was larger than the ship’s boat caused its crew to fear for their lives and in self-defence, they fired at the engines of the suspect vessel in an attempt to bring it to a stop.

The vessel eventually stopped and only then it was discovered that there were illegal migrants on board who had remained hidden and were therefore not seen before. Further checks discovered one (1) adult female illegal migrant who was holding an infant and who indicated that she was bleeding. The vessel was immediately brought alongside TTS SCARBOROUGH and the injured female was subsequently stabilised and has since been transferred to a local health facility. Regrettably, the infant was found to be unresponsive. The remaining persons on board the vessel will be processed in accordance with immigration and health protocols. The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard extends sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the infant and takes the opportunity to wish the injured female a speedy recovery.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard continues to provide border security and other services in the face of the threat of COVID-19 in order to maintain the safety and security of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the conduct of maritime security and safety patrols within our area of operations.”