ORANJESTAD – The Caribbean Coast Guard launched a search operation over the weekend for a missing Venezuelan man who is believed to have departed Venezuela by boat with Aruba as his possible destination.
According to the Coast Guard, the Maritime Operations Center received a report on Saturday afternoon regarding the disappearance of the 23-year-old man. Following the notification, authorities immediately initiated a search and rescue operation.
Multiple Coast Guard units were deployed as part of the effort, conducting searches both at sea and on land in an attempt to locate the missing individual.
Helicopter Deployed
A Coast Guard helicopter was also mobilized to assist in the operation, conducting aerial searches along Aruba’s coastline and surrounding waters.
Despite the extensive efforts, the search did not produce any results.
“Despite the extensive search operation, no trace of the missing person has been found so far,” the Coast Guard stated.
Search Scaled Back
Authorities have since ended the active search phase and transitioned to passive monitoring.
The Coast Guard said its personnel will remain alert during routine patrols and continue to monitor for any new information or indications that could assist in locating the missing man.
Officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances of his departure from Venezuela or the type of vessel that may have been used.
The Coast Guard is urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the relevant authorities.
The incident highlights the risks associated with unauthorized maritime crossings between Venezuela and the southern Caribbean islands, where small vessels regularly attempt the journey across open waters.