Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has assured that Venezuelan migrants entering Guyana are being properly vetted, processed, and documented as part of a multi-agency national effort to safeguard Guyana’s border.
Speaking during the launch of ‘Safeguarding Our Nation,’ a new national conversation series focused on security and public trust, Brigadier Khan said that while Guyana maintains a compassionate approach to the ongoing migrant crisis, it remains firm on upholding national security.
“While Guyana is approaching this with compassion, we are committed to safe borders and the protection of our borders,” Brigadier Khan said.
“That is why we have implemented strong security measures on vetting, processing, and documenting all Venezuelan migrants.”
The Guyana-Venezuela border stretches approximately 824 kilometres, with much of it traversing difficult and isolated terrain.
According to Khan, this makes monitoring the movement of migrants challenging, especially as more people flee worsening conditions in Venezuela.
“I have personally visited these border communities and witnessed the pain and loss of dignity suffered by women, children, and families who are simply trying to survive,” he noted. “But even in the face of that reality, border control cannot be ignored.”
Further, Brigadier Khan explained that the Defence Force is not working in isolation. The vetting and support of migrants is part of a coordinated, multi-agency effort that includes the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Health, regional authorities, and other state agencies.
“Whenever there is an interception of migrants, the full team is mobilised. Everyone is on board,” he noted.
Brigadier Khan acknowledged that although Guyana is not receiving migrant flows on the scale of countries like Colombia or Brazil, the increase in crossings through Regions One and Seven still presents a strain on resources and security.
“This is a direct result of the political and socio-economic breakdown in Venezuela,” he said. “But Guyana has shown that it is possible to respond with both strength and humanity.”
He reaffirmed the Defence Force’s commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty while supporting peaceful entrants.
“Our priority is to ensure that those entering Guyana are doing so peacefully and that our borders remain secure.”
