WILLEMSTAD - Venezuelans who enter Curaçao illegally are not given a tolerance stay because of corona.

The Ministry of Justice reports this following the interception of 43 Venezuelans on a boat this week.

Rumor is circulating in Venezuela that Curaçao is no longer sending people back because of corona. But Minister Quincy Girigorie emphasizes that the policy of arrest and deportation has not changed.

Since the beginning of the corona crisis, border security has been reinforced by the Dutch Navy and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.

There are currently more and more stringent checks for the entry of illegal immigrants to ensure that the corona virus does not enter that way. According to international standards, all rules and procedures have been followed in the arrest of illegal immigrants, says Girigorie.

According to the minister, he has received signals that undocumented people think that a grace period would come. He says that maybe statements in local media have been misinterpreted.

"Especially during the economic crisis, only people who add value and make a positive contribution to the economy are admitted," says Girigorie.