at first, the venezuelan government of the general eleazar lopez contreras gave the refugees special permission to stay in the country temporarily, until new homes could be found for them in other latin american countries, but they were banned from finding employment in any industry other than agriculture. furthermore, the venezuelan government made it clear that it would not accept any more refugees, unless they came through the proper channels. later, president contreras gave the refugees permission to remain in the country permanently. as result of which, the passengers of the "koenigstein" and the "caribia" became some of the founding members of venezuela's jewish community, as most jewish emigration to venezuela would occur after the war, in the 1950s and 1960s.