President Jaime Lusinchi of Venezuela became the first president of Venezuela to visit Trinidad and Tobago in 1986, despite both nations neighboring each other. An agreement was signed on technical, manufacturing, and fishing rights during his visit. Several Trinidadian Coast Guard members were taught Spanish to deal with future situations with Venezuelans. Despite signing fishing agreements, there were several Trinidadian ships seized by Venezuelans following the visit.[3]
In recent years, Trinidad and Tobago has witnessed increased immigration from Venezuela, with an estimated 40,000 Venezuelans immigrating to the country by 2018.[4] Relations have remained strained in recent years due to the pressure the large influx of Venezuelans places on healthcare and public services in the island nation.[5] 16,500 Venezuelan refugees were granted temporary work visas and photo IDs for 6 months to a year.[6][7]
CARICOM-Venezuela agreement on trade and investment eliminates tariffs on certain goods between Trinidad and other Caribbean nations and Venezuela. This includes duty-free access on specific products and elimination of tariffs for certain exports to Venezuela.[8]
^Hutchinson-Jafar, Linda; Sequera, Vivian; Cushing, Christopher (17 December 2020). "Trinidad to impose stiffer penalties on trafficking of Venezuelans". Reuters. A humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has spurred the mass migration of millions, including to Trinidad and Tobago, where at least 40,000 Venezuelans now live, while dozens have gone missing since vessels they boarded to get there sunk.
