Fishermen from Falcón move to the border with Aruba to work due to oil spills

The Fishermen from the Paraguaná peninsula, in the state of Falcón, have put themselves at risk with the authorities of Aruba because they have been forced to move to the maritime border between Venezuela and the Dutch island to carry out the task due to the constant oil spills that contaminate Venezuelan waters.

At least 65 oil spills from Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in the Coro gulf have affected the livelihood of approximately 1,950 fishermen, who work with nearly 350 boats in Falcón.

Given the harmful environmental impact of PDVSA’s activities in the area, the fishermen of Paraguaná have approached the international border and They have been in trouble with the Aruba authorities, who believe they will enter their waters without permission.

Falcón fishermen risk their lives by moving near Aruba

The workers risk their boats and their crew to be able to go so far to catch something and provide daily sustenance for their families.

Dioner Aular, a fisherman from Punta Cardón, in the Carirubana municipality of Falcón, explained to Caribbean Chronicles that although they only give them 120 liters of fuel per week per boat, They prefer to risk going near the border for a single day of fishing, rather than staying in the Coro gulf where there is nothing.

“We call on international organizations because we have some boats that approach the island of Aruba and those who get too close have their boats taken away, they are kidnapped. We call on you from here because we have boats sailing there and fishing to bring sustenance to your homes,” he said.

Other fishermen from the Coro communities have requested help from the Venezuelan authorities, but have not received any response.