Updated: Six kidnapped by Venezuelan pirates: US 200k demanded

[MG Man]

yup, we know there's a reason the south-western tip is unguarded

[Miktay]

Damn. It was just a matter of time before the violence spilled over here considering how easily they have been getting access to come into our country.

But US$200,000 they asking for? Either they are fools to they think that ordinary fishermen have access to US$200,000 or I am a fool for thinking those are ordinary fishermen. I only hope that no innocent people are harmed in this whole ordeal.

they are playing a very strategic game
They are pushing to see if the government will step in to pay up the ransom for its citizens
If the government does, it's open season
If the government doesn't, it's free reign to pillage without fear
Either way, sadly those guys will soon be featured in a gory dismemberment video
I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now...

Our Coast Guard will protect us.

They did in 1970.

[zoom rader]

Damn. It was just a matter of time before the violence spilled over here considering how easily they have been getting access to come into our country.

But US$200,000 they asking for? Either they are fools to they think that ordinary fishermen have access to US$200,000 or I am a fool for thinking those are ordinary fishermen. I only hope that no innocent people are harmed in this whole ordeal.

they are playing a very strategic game
They are pushing to see if the government will step in to pay up the ransom for its citizens
If the government does, it's open season
If the government doesn't, it's free reign to pillage without fear
Either way, sadly those guys will soon be featured in a gory dismemberment video
I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now...

Our Coast Guard will protect us.

They did in 1970.

Awaits our present coast guard

[shake d livin wake d dead]

what ever happened to other youth that was kidnapped by the venes?? ransom paid??

[gastly369]

I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now.

You wouldn't believe the fuel cost on those boats nah

I'll stop right dey

[SMc]

what ever happened to other youth that was kidnapped by the venes?? ransom paid??

Shawn M? If its him last time I spoke to his brother there was nothing-just gone now

[Slartibartfast]

Damn. It was just a matter of time before the violence spilled over here considering how easily they have been getting access to come into our country.

But US$200,000 they asking for? Either they are fools to they think that ordinary fishermen have access to US$200,000 or I am a fool for thinking those are ordinary fishermen. I only hope that no innocent people are harmed in this whole ordeal.

they are playing a very strategic game
They are pushing to see if the government will step in to pay up the ransom for its citizens
If the government does, it's open season
If the government doesn't, it's free reign to pillage without fear
Either way, sadly those guys will soon be featured in a gory dismemberment video
I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now...

Duuuuuuuuude! I didn't want to say it but those are my thoughts exactly. Right now we don't have the power to make any good response.

We can't give in and hand over US$200,000 because you will see an increase in the kidnappings as well as some fake kidnappings (knowing that trinis are both creative and in some cases desperate). If you don't hand over the $200,000 then, as you said, it's open season. They increase the frequency of attacks and just demand less, but to what end?

Even if the Coast Guard responds, what are they going to do? They can increase patrols but they can't patrol Cedros full-time. They have duties that carry them up to all the other islands that don't have a Coast Guard. Even if, by some miracle, the Coast Guard responds with force and is successful, then what? The population of Venezuela is more than 20 times that of Trinidad. Once it catches on it is inevitable that they win based on numbers alone. Guys will take their chances knowing that there is like a 80% chance of success because the CG is just unable to be everywhere at once. Now let's say there is some divine intervention and the CG is still able to deal with that increased problem, then what? Will that have the potential to create tensions between Trinidad and Venezuela? How would that affect our relationship with the US given Vnezuela's relationship with Russia?

All I know is that I am completely ignorant when it comes to this situation but every outcome, from my limited grasp of the situation, seems pretty scary to me.

BTW, in response to all the Coast Guard bashing, I'm not picking sides but just keep following in mind before you make any comments.

- The Coast Guard is already stretched extremely thin with duties that carry them up all the small islands without a Coast Guard force
- The Coast Guard has extremely fast boats (Interceptors) that have 4, 250HP engines (total 1000HP engines). Those things rell fast.... like... reeeeeeeeeeelllllll fast.
- Drug traffickers are using (among other things) disposable submarines to transport drugs. These are impossible to detect with infrared like normal drug boats and are small enough to give CG problems detecting them with other means of detection (remember, the ocean is a big place)
- I agree the Coast Guard is ineffective in a lot of areas but be careful on using blanket statements to blame the CG officers themselves. We all know there are bad ones but blaming the good ones as well only making it harder for them to stay straight. Full disclosure, there is someone close to me in CG and I could put my head on a block for him/her being a straight shooter. With that said he/she desperately wants out and is trying his/her best to put things in place before jumping ship.

[MaxPower]

These 6 people....are they pests or not?

Need to know if to give a sheit

[zoom rader]

These 6 people....are they pests or not?

Need to know if to give a sheit

Regardless if pest or not , our coast guard is well fed and ready for parade.

They protect us bro

[hydroep]

One released, five fishermen still held captive
Shane Superville

Jerry O'Brian, one of the six fishermen kidnapped on Monday while in a Venezuelan river, was released this afternoon.

Police said around noon, O'Brian, 36, was brought to shore by Venezuelan fishermen who, he said, were friends of his.

Newsday understands a ransom was paid but the figure was not released by sources.

The remaining five men are still being held by their kidnappers.

https://newsday.co.tt/2019/01/30/one-released-five-fishermen-still-held-captive/

[kstt]

Damn. It was just a matter of time before the violence spilled over here considering how easily they have been getting access to come into our country.

But US$200,000 they asking for? Either they are fools to they think that ordinary fishermen have access to US$200,000 or I am a fool for thinking those are ordinary fishermen. I only hope that no innocent people are harmed in this whole ordeal.

they are playing a very strategic game
They are pushing to see if the government will step in to pay up the ransom for its citizens
If the government does, it's open season
If the government doesn't, it's free reign to pillage without fear
Either way, sadly those guys will soon be featured in a gory dismemberment video
I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now...

All dis Kamla buy and like a stick record ppl still talking about OPVS??????




The CG shipless? Why can't they use one of these?

[kstt]

Damn. It was just a matter of time before the violence spilled over here considering how easily they have been getting access to come into our country.

But US$200,000 they asking for? Either they are fools to they think that ordinary fishermen have access to US$200,000 or I am a fool for thinking those are ordinary fishermen. I only hope that no innocent people are harmed in this whole ordeal.

they are playing a very strategic game
They are pushing to see if the government will step in to pay up the ransom for its citizens
If the government does, it's open season
If the government doesn't, it's free reign to pillage without fear
Either way, sadly those guys will soon be featured in a gory dismemberment video
I wonder what all the yellow anti-OPV people are saying now...

Duuuuuuuuude! I didn't want to say it but those are my thoughts exactly. Right now we don't have the power to make any good response.

We can't give in and hand over US$200,000 because you will see an increase in the kidnappings as well as some fake kidnappings (knowing that trinis are both creative and in some cases desperate). If you don't hand over the $200,000 then, as you said, it's open season. They increase the frequency of attacks and just demand less, but to what end?

Even if the Coast Guard responds, what are they going to do? They can increase patrols but they can't patrol Cedros full-time. They have duties that carry them up to all the other islands that don't have a Coast Guard. Even if, by some miracle, the Coast Guard responds with force and is successful, then what? The population of Venezuela is more than 20 times that of Trinidad. Once it catches on it is inevitable that they win based on numbers alone. Guys will take their chances knowing that there is like a 80% chance of success because the CG is just unable to be everywhere at once. Now let's say there is some divine intervention and the CG is still able to deal with that increased problem, then what? Will that have the potential to create tensions between Trinidad and Venezuela? How would that affect our relationship with the US given Vnezuela's relationship with Russia?

All I know is that I am completely ignorant when it comes to this situation but every outcome, from my limited grasp of the situation, seems pretty scary to me.

BTW, in response to all the Coast Guard bashing, I'm not picking sides but just keep following in mind before you make any comments.

- The Coast Guard is already stretched extremely thin with duties that carry them up all the small islands without a Coast Guard force
- The Coast Guard has extremely fast boats (Interceptors) that have 4, 250HP engines (total 1000HP engines). Those things rell fast.... like... reeeeeeeeeeelllllll fast.
- Drug traffickers are using (among other things) disposable submarines to transport drugs. These are impossible to detect with infrared like normal drug boats and are small enough to give CG problems detecting them with other means of detection (remember, the ocean is a big place)
- I agree the Coast Guard is ineffective in a lot of areas but be careful on using blanket statements to blame the CG officers themselves. We all know there are bad ones but blaming the good ones as well only making it harder for them to stay straight. Full disclosure, there is someone close to me in CG and I could put my head on a block for him/her being a straight shooter. With that said he/she desperately wants out and is trying his/her best to put things in place before jumping ship.

Why should our coast be unguarded for small islands? Who paying for repairs and maintenance? Salaries? Etc? The islands? Or T&T taxpayers?

[rspann]

Three years have gone and none of the security apparatus that was dismantled by kamla has been corrected/reinstalled?

[De Dragon]

Three years have gone and none of the security apparatus that was dismantled by kamla has been corrected/reinstalled?

Ask eliteauto/Tokesy and Zitty.
Those OPV's alone would have made T&T the first nation in the world without any crime whatsoever, but wicked KPB spoil it.

[zoom rader]

Three years have gone and none of the security apparatus that was dismantled by kamla has been corrected/reinstalled?

Ask eliteauto/Tokesy and Zitty.
Those OPV's alone would have made T&T the first nation in the world without any crime whatsoever, but wicked KPB spoil it.

Awaits eleitauto to answer but I guess he go say we all haters and racist

[Dizzy28]

Hopefully once Parliament moves back to Red House the CG ship that has to be parked outside Waterfront everytime parliament in session can actually go back to patrolling the seas

[matr1x]

If it is true and the masterminds are vene here....then I think it's time to weed them out

[Redman]

Three years have gone and none of the security apparatus that was dismantled by kamla has been corrected/reinstalled?

And this is the problem.

Little continuity in policy and therefore constant gaps.

[zoom rader]

Three years have gone and none of the security apparatus that was dismantled by kamla has been corrected/reinstalled?

And this is the problem.

Little continuity in policy and therefore constant gaps.

Our coast guard working hard bro

[agent007]

There is a CG officer who drives like a Kant daily in his commutes. Confronted him once and he threatened to kill me. I documented pretty much everything about his life all from taking a snap of a number plate. I know he on sheit but you never could tell, so I took front to secure everything about him. I said that to say this, that arrogance is employed to protect our shores. There is a reason why the boats dont go anywhere; there is a reason why they live lavish lifestyles and there is a reason why characters like that are employed there. It is to continue the status quo. If you all think all cedros Fisherfolk does fish then you are highly mistaken. The pirate stories will never stop and greasy hands will never get washed.

[justheretoreadthecomments]

Media Release

[Dizzy28]

Media Release

That language used speaks volumes

[Soul Collector]

Media Release

That language used speaks volumes

Indeed.

Someone showed me a rather disturbing video earlier where they executed one of the men...

[pugboy]

Fake to these guys

Media Release

That language used speaks volumes

Indeed.

Someone showed me a rather disturbing video earlier where they executed one of the men...

[Soul Collector]

Is the vid fake? Person said it was real. I didn't care to see the vid in the first place and didn't want to watch it over to verify :/

[X-Axis]

The video that's circulating is at least 4 years old and originates from Brazil.

[pugboy]

Face doesn’t match any of the 6

[Soul Collector]

The video that's circulating is at least 4 years old and originates from Brazil.

Ahh alright then, thanks for that.

[K74T]

Fishermen released: Gold, $$, boat engines ransom paid

https://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/local/fishermen-released-gold-boat-engines-ransom-paid/article_0e0d6110-2adb-11e9-8d55-bb6b33c00935.html

[gastly369]

Good news for the "fishermen"