WILLEMSTAD - Authorities in Venezuela are set to enhance surveillance and patrols along the coast of the state of Falcón. The increased monitoring aims to prevent illegal boat crossings to Curaçao and Aruba, as reported by the ANP news agency.
The Caribbean Coast Guard recently intercepted a boat near Klein Curaçao on Tuesday night, carrying 34 undocumented individuals, including a two-year-old child. All occupants were crowded into the small wooden boat.
Authorities note a recent increase in the number of illegal departures from the Paraguana Peninsula to Aruba. In mid-December, all media reported on four fatalities retrieved from the waters near Aruba after a boat capsized. According to Venezuelan authorities, nine individuals are still missing.
Venezuelans have been fleeing their country to neighboring nations, including Curaçao and Aruba, to escape challenging socio-economic conditions. In response to the bodies found onshore, the Aruban government has requested heightened coastal controls from Venezuela.