(Trinidad Guardian) Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed has hit back at Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on his claims about a high demand for Venezuelan prostitutes in Chaguanas, saying it was based on a report that shows no real investigation or information based upon sound research.
“The prime minister should be ashamed to be trumpeting this information to desk thumping from the government especially when his Minister of National Security is quoted saying he is not responsible for keeping citizens safe,” Mohammed said.
Also critical of the prime minister’s statement was Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit.
“If the Prime Minister has information about prostitution in Chaguanas, as head of the National Security Council he has a duty to inform the police.
“There are many Venezuelans living in Chaguanas just like they are living everywhere in Trinidad.
“There are many Venezuelans living in Carenage so why single out Chaguanas?
“The avenue in Port-of-Spain has many Venezuelans living and working in that area.
“Are the Venezuelans in Chaguanas different from any other Venezuelans living in Trinidad?” she asked.
In Parliament on Friday, Dr Rowley said if the Opposition wants to fight the matter of the recent incident between the T&T Coast Guard and a Venezuelan pirogue, they must begin by fighting the fact that many illegal migrants head to Chaguanas where demand for prostitution thrives.
He cited a February 11 report by a Venezuelan investigative agency.
He was responding to queries from Opposition MP Rodney Charles on the fallout from the incident which resulted in the death of a one-year-old migrant child.