Venezuela asks National Security Ministry to meet on migrant crisis

The Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs received a formal request from the Maduro administration to discuss the Venezuelan migrant crisis on Friday morning.

Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne confirmed the receipt of the diplomatic note, which seeks a meeting with Minister of National Security Stuart Young.

He said the request has since been passed to the Minister of National Security "for consideration and response."

On Wednesday, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said in a tweet that President Nicolas Maduro had instructed him to convene a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago officials to discuss the migrant crisis.

His tweet followed public criticism by the Prime Minister overnehative reactions to his administration's handling of the migrants, particularly children, who were sent back to their homeland in pirogues after landing illegally on Trinidad's southwestern coast.

In August, Minister of National Security Stuart Young met virtually with Venezuelan officials to discuss the problem of illegal migration of Venezuelans to TT.