Robust security screening of Venezuelans at Guyana borders – Chief of Staff 

Jun 26, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has assured that robust security measures are in place to screen and document Venezuelan migrants intercepted at Guyana’s borders.

While acknowledging the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the Guyana-Venezuelan border, Brigadier Khan emphasised that Guyana’s response remains grounded in both compassion and national security, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

“While Guyana is approaching this with compassion, we are committed to safe borders… that is why we have implemented strong security measures on vetting, processing, and documenting all Venezuelan migrants,” he stated.

Brigadier Khan made the remarks during a programme broadcast on government-controlled platforms on Tuesday. According to DPI, in recent years, thousands of Venezuelans have crossed into Guyana, fleeing political and socio-economic turmoil in their home country. “In the execution of my duties and my visits to the border communities, I have personally witnessed Venezuelan migrants and the embarrassment, shame, the almost loss of dignity of families, women, children, babies, fathers, seeking refuge in a foreign land,” the Chief of Defence Staff said.

Brigadier Khan noted that the processing of migrants entering Guyana is being facilitated through a multi-agency approach, supported by the Ministry of Health (MoH), regional authorities and the GDF. “This humanitarian gesture is not uncommon for the GDF. The GDF has been involved as part of its role to conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations,” he explained. Brigadier Khan highlighted that the GDF has participated in over 200 humanitarian projects in Guyana and across the region, offering vital support to vulnerable populations.

With approximately 2,403 Venezuelan migrants entering Guyana on a monthly basis, concerns continue to be raised as to where most of them have settled, and government has been tight-lipped on its earlier plans to establish a settlement for them on the outskirts of Mabaruma, Region One.

Back in May this year, Stabroek News reported that a total of 2,403 Venezuelan migrants entered Guyana monthly between January 2024 and April 20, 2025, according to records from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The figure, the newspaper reported, was disclosed in Parliament in response to questions posed by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley. According to Stabroek News, Region 1 (Barima-Waini) continues to see the highest inflow, with the border village of Morawhanna recording a total of 452 Venezuelans over the period. Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), specifically through the ports of Eteringbang and Bartica, saw the highest overall intake, receiving a total of 1,242 migrants for the period. Region 9’s Lethem recorded 440 Venezuelan arrivals, while Region 2 (Charity) reported a total of 190 migrants. Georgetown, in Region 4, recorded 79 Venezuelan migrants during the period. Regions 3 (Parika), 5, 6, 8, and 10 reported no new arrivals during the same timeframe. Also, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud recently disclosed that approximately 100,000 persons of direct or indirect Venezuelan ancestry are currently in Guyana.

Meanwhile, it has been several months si

nce Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn informed the House via a written response that the Government of Guyana had established a settlement for Venezuelan immigrants on the outskirts of Mabaruma. There has since been no further information provided, even though this publication has reached out to the minister.

On February 17, 2025, Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley asked the minister to tell the House about the arrangements made for the Venezuelan immigrants present in Guyana. In his written response, he said that the government has established a settlement near Mabaruma called “Farm Corps.”

This publication later contacted the minister to obtain further information as to when the settlement was established, how the occupants are determined and the current population. The minister had promised to locate the information and provide it. Some days later, the minister was again approached on the matter, and he promised to provide the information and even noted contact information. The information is yet to be provided to this publication. Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Amanza Walton-Desir was also contacted on February 17, after the minister’s response, to ascertain if she was aware of such a settlement and what information she could provide. She told this publication via WhatsApp, “I’m digging myself for info,” as she was not aware it existed. Research by this publication on the said settlement yielded no results.

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• Essequibo, Guyana borders, Omar Khan, Screening, Venezuelans

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