Moses holds out hope to ‘Caracas five’ families

As a result, Moses stated, “We’ll need to issue new documents ... valid documents.” He said a meeting scheduled between officials from the TT embassy in Caracas and officials from the Servicio Bolivariano de Intelligencia National (the agency holding the five men) and the Venezuelan immigration authority did not materialise as planned on Wednesday.

He said his understanding was had that meeting happened, the five men could have returned home either today or next Monday.

“We are very hopeful that shortly such a meeting will be held and that will allow the actual issuance of the travel documents.

In short order thereafter, the persons could travel to TT,” Moses said.

He told reporters that while embassy officials have been treating with these detained people on an ongoing basis, they “have not been allowed visiting rights over the past year but we are hopeful that shortly that will take place.” Reiterating that the five men have been receiving whatever consular services they require from the TT embassy in Caracas, Moses said he was advised that the men are in good health.

“Overall we are very hopeful that they can be reunited with their families in TT,” he added.

Moses reminded reporters that the men were charged with conspiracy and espionage.

Acting Attorney General Stuart Young said things are in place for when the five men return to TT.

Stating that legal officers and national security officers have been properly briefed on the men’s situation, he said, “When the Venezuelan authorities return them to TT, we will deal with our nationals as they arrive.” Young added this would involve some kind of debriefing but he declined to give any further details, citing national security reasons.

On the eight people detained in Turkey who are believed to be TT nationals, Moses said, “Two of them don’t have valid travel documents.” He said these individuals are being held at a Turkish immigration facility and certain requirements need to be met before they can travel.

He reiterated there are a number of young people in the group and the group was “held trying to cross the border into Syria under suspicion of belonging to groups that are deemed to be illegal.” Moses declined to comment further, for security reasons.