Guyana could face more migrants from Venezuela as crisis deepens in the neighbouring country

Guyana could face more migrants from Venezuela as crisis deepens in the neighbouring country

As Guyana continues to face a large number of migrants coming in from neighbouring Venezuela, the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn believes the worrying problem will continue to grow.

Currently, there are more than 30,000 Venezuela migrants living in Guyana. That number is expected to increase as more Venezuelans pour into Guyana to seek refuge, as the neighbouring country continues to face a deep social and economic crisis.

“We will have another flood of migrants in desperate circumstance coming from Venezuela. There has been efflux from Venezuela of Guyanese persons who still live in Venezuela and, if they are forced to leave in fairly rapid circumstances, leave everything behind and come over here, they will perhaps be in more difficult situation than those who came before,” the Home Affairs Minister told reporters on Monday.

According to the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency, Venezuela is facing one of the largest displacement crisis in the world. The agency said rampant violence, inflation, gang warfare, soaring crime rates, and shortages of food, medicine and essential services are forcing millions to flee.

Thousands have turned to Guyana. 

Minister Benn said as the Government of Guyana has been closely monitoring the situation at the border, and is putting systems in place to respond to “any potential issue” or threat. He said the Government is also providing support to many of the migrants.

“We are all aware of the challenges on the West in Venezuela, and both the Guyana Police Force and the Community Policing Groups Units are involved in the security screening and information gathering, in relation to those challenges, monitoring the situation in relation to the question of what may or may not be as a result of the fallout of the crises in Venezuela,” Minister Benn said. 

The Government has been offering support for the migrants fleeing Venezuela as the country remains in crisis. The situation in the Spanish speaking country could deteriorate even further now that President Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in for another term in office amid threats of increased sanctions from the international community. The United States is already offering US$25 Million for his arrest.

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