TT must be ready for exodus from Caracas

I can only make a reasonable inference that the shores of our country must be a strong contender as a new horizon for our next-door neighbours.

I certainly envision and agree to reasonable measures of humanitarian immigration being extended to what may be a Venezuelan exodus.

However, it may be prudent to reflect on the infamous Mariel boat lift of 1980, when over 125,000 Cubans fled to Florida as Fidel Castro “opened the doors” from the Port of Mariel in Cuba to anyone having transport to take them across the 90-mile stretch to the US. The impact of this mass migration was unprecedented and overwhelming for the US Coast Guard, with over 35,000 immigrants from Cuba having arrived in one week in south Florida.

Then US president Jimmy Carter was caught with his proverbial pants down and had to make speedy arrangements to quell this influx of Cubans by signing a “stopgap” agreement with Castro.

I hope the relevant local authorities are giving close consideration to strategising with these circumstances in mind, especially as the distance to cover is only six miles at the nearest point. Things can happen very quickly.

Over the past 10 years or so, we have seen a much larger population of Venezuelans residing in TT . Currently, and as has been the case in the past, most of them continue to add significant value to our social and economic growth and development.

However, if we are to be good hosts and extend the necessary courtesies to our neighbours in their time of need, we must be able to cater for a flood of immigrants rather than a trickle.

To accomplish this may require more astute planning and management if we are to be part of this worthy humanitarian effort.

To effectively accomplish this, it would be necessary to work quickly towards reinforcing or expanding some of our already limited resources. This is what would be necessary if we are to be successful in providing for large numbers of men, women and children.

ARNOLD CORNEAL via email