70 Chapter 2
Participants: 101 Venezuela/52 Trinidad and Tobago
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On Wednesday, October 30, 1996, Trinidadian fishermen aboard the
trawler Hannah in the Columbus Channel were fired upon by the Venezuelan coast
guard. One Trinidadian man was shot multiple times in the abdomen and groin area.
The Trinidadian crew also claimed the Venezuelan vessel crashed into their trawler
causing severe damage. Members of the Venezuelan coast guard claimed the opposite
happened, with the Trinidadian trawler firing on them and ramming into their vessel.
Both governments met in an effort to negotiate a new fishing treaty.
MID#4154
Dispute Number: 4154
Date(s): April 1997 to May 28, 1997
Participants: 101 Venezuela/52 Trinidad and Tobago
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Venezuela believed that Trinidad and Tobago were conducting oil drilling
exercises in Venezuelan waters (along the maritime border in the Gulf of Paria) and
sent troops to board the oil rig in April 1997. Trinidad and Tobago responded with
vague threats. Venezuela continued their pressure by harassing and seizing Trinida-
dian fishing boats. Trinidad asked the Organization of American States to intervene.
Venezuela released the fishermen on May 28. Tensions eased soon thereafter follow-
ing joint talks.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
MID#4155
Dispute Number: 4155
Date(s): August 8, 1999 to August 11, 1999
Participants: 101 Venezuela/52 Trinidad and Tobago
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On August 8, 1999, members of the Venezuelan national guard boarded
the Trinidadian fishing boat the Red Snapper near their maritime border in the Gulf of
Paria. According to the Trinidad and Tobago coast guard, these Venezuelan soldiers
then proceeded to bind the hands and legs of Captain Ricardo Phillips before eventu-
ally throwing him overboard. Although no fatalities were reported, two additional
crew were arrested and subsequently sent to Caracas. Citing a 1998 agreement, the
Trinidad and Tobago government refuted the Venezuelan accusations of trespassing,
claiming rather that the event occurred in open waters. In an effort to recover the
Trinidadian imprisoned fishermen, Trinidad and Tobago government officials sent a
letter of protest to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.
Coding changes: End Date changed from Missing.