Gov’t moves to control influx of Venezuelan migrants, returning Guyanese

The Government is stepping up efforts to monitor and control the influx of Venezuelan migrants and returning Guyanese fleeing the economic and political crisis in Venezuela.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced Thursday that a Government team will visit the town of Puerto Ordaz in the state of Bolivar in Venezuela from July 12-16, 2018.

He said the visit will enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Citizenship to plan a more effective response to the influx of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese from Venezuela.

The team will be led by Mrs Barbara Haley, the director of the Frontier Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Harmon said the visit forms part of an assessment of the consular services that are provided to Guyanese who are resident abroad.

He said there are an estimated 20, 000 Guyanese in Puerto Ordaz and the visit could determine to provide “a better facility” for Consular Service.

Harmon said there is an Honorary Consul in Puerto Ordaz but there needs to be “a much more solid arrangement where Guyanese people can actually can get kind and quality of service they deserve.”