radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Heermatie Sankar longs to hear the voices of her husband Awardnath Hajarie, son Nicholas Hajarie and friend Shammi Seepersad, who were released from a Venezuelan jail in Tucupita three days ago but still have not returned home. However, as each day passes the heaviness in her heart grows and so do the rumours of their whereabouts.
Unable to continue staring out at the sea waiting for their boat, Sankar spent most of yesterday crying, sleeping and praying the men would return home safely.
Sankar’s sister-in-law Sunita Hajare said yesterday they heard Awardnath had fallen ill after being released from jail and this may have caused their delay. Awardnath suffers from diabetes and hypertension.
“We heard that he was in a Venezuelan hospital getting drips and medication. We don’t know if that is true. People say Venezuela does not have medicine and food. We do not know what to think,” Sunita said.
She also explained that Fullerton Village fishermen have not been going out to sea since the three fishermen were chased and apprehended by the Guardia Nacional a week ago. The arrests were recorded by a Trinmar worker who uploaded a video on Facebook showing the arrests occurring in territorial waters.
In a release, the Ministry of National Security said the Venezuelan authorities stated that the fishermen were caught fishing in Venezuelan waters on April 5 and the Guardia Nacional chased them and arrested them. The fishermen paid fines to authorities in Venezuela and were released last Tuesday but never returned home.
Since the incident, Cedros fishermen have been calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the matter, saying Trinidadian fishermen were being held captive by Venezuelans in exchange for food and US dollar ransoms.
Cedros Councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must locate the Trini fishermen.
“They have not given any confirmed reports as to whether they contacted our embassy in Venezuela to find out what is taking place in Venezuela. Our citizens are at risk and our Coast Guard must find out what is happening to them,” Teelucksingh said.
