–Home Affairs Minister says, points to intensified regional efforts to monitor cross-border criminal activities

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn on Friday told the National Assembly that there are no indications of Venezuelan gangs operating within Guyana’s borders.

Benn was at the time responding to a question posed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, during the most recent sitting of the National Assembly.

The Home Affairs Minister told the House, “As of the current date, the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Joint services, including the Guyana Police Force, The Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Immigration Department, have not officially confirmed the presence of organised gangs, known as the ‘Tren de aragua’, or any other similarly structured foreign gang operating within the borders of Guyana.”

Against this backdrop, he noted that while there have been intelligence reports and regional concerns regarding cross-border criminal activities and the potential spill-over of gang-related violence from Venezuela in neighbouring countries, there is no verified evidence that suggests the said gang has established an operational base or presence here.

However, the minister remarked that the ministry and the joint services remain vigilant, and are actively monitoring border areas, particularly in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, for indicators of transnational criminal infiltration.

With this, he said, “Surveillance patrols and intelligence sharing with regional counterparts are being intensified to prevent the emergence or expansion of such organised criminal networks.”

Additionally, Benn affirmed that should any such instances arise, immediate action will be taken in accordance with Guyana’s national security protocols to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and safety.