AS THE situation in neighbouring Venezuela worsens, President David Granger has noted that his Government has not given any consideration to accepting refugees in Guyana.However, the President said that Guyana is obligated to accept any Guyanese returning from Venezuela.

“We do not have any agreement with Venezuela about other refugees, and that is not something we have considered,” the President was quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA).

According to GINA, the President said the economic crisis in Venezuela will no doubt affect the security of the region, as he expressed hope for an orderly resolution to the situation.

The economy of neighbouring Venezuela, the country with the largest oil reserves, has been in crisis since the decline in oil prices on the world market.

International media reported that three years of recession, crime, shortages, looting, electricity and water rationing, and inflation projected to rise to as much as 700 per cent, have angered Venezuelans.

“I am deeply concerned, Guyana has special interest because of the territorial question, but I think the whole region is concerned about what is taking place in Venezuela, and we hope that there is not going to be a resort to lawlessness,” President Granger said.

According to GINA, the President expressed concerns about the involvement of the Venezuelan National Armed Forces in the crisis in the country, as the country’s President, Nicolás Maduro deployed military personnel on the streets, as part of an operation to address the growing crime situation and protests.

“I hope that a legal approach is taken, an orderly approach is taken for the security of the whole sub-region because it will have an impact on the Caribbean as well,” President Granger said.