Venezuelan dies, two missing after smuggling boat sinks off Trinidad and Tobago

A Venezuelan man has died and two others remain missing after a smuggling boat carrying copper capsized in the dangerous waters separating Trinidad and Tobago. The victim was identified as Julio López, who drowned after the vessel overturned Saturday in the Boca de la Serpiente, a 10-kilometer stretch of water notorious for its strong currents and unpredictable weather.

Preliminary reports suggest the boat was en route from Trinidad to Venezuela with a cargo of copper when it was swamped by heavy waves during the early morning hours. The vessel disappeared in waters off Trinidad's southwestern peninsula, an area frequently used by smugglers to evade coast guard patrols. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the illegal copper trade and the perilous sea crossings.

Search teams, including the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, defense force personnel, and local fishermen, continued their efforts on Sunday to locate the two missing passengers. One survivor, Nikol Landaeta, was rescued. Authorities have been cracking down on copper smuggling, as the trade is believed to fund organized crime groups responsible for widespread theft of electrical infrastructure and telecommunications equipment.

Security officials note that intensified coast guard operations have forced smugglers to use more remote departure points. The recent earthquakes in Venezuela may also be complicating the already dangerous maritime routes. The copper trade in Trinidad is slated to end in July 2027, following government findings that its profits were fueling criminal activity.

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The preliminary information indicated that the vessel was transporting a cargo of copper from Trinidad to Venezuela when it capsized due to heavy surf during the early morning hours.