PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura arrives here on Monday  next week for talks with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young, has said.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Young said that Maduro, who is facing unrest in his country over plans by the opposition to remove him from office, had requested the talks.

“This is a visit that is being conducted at this time to enhance bilateral cooperation between our two countries in the areas of foreign policy, energy and trade amongst others and to take stock of the progress that has been made since our delegation went across to Venezuela on October 26, 2015,” Young said.

Maduro will be accompanied by his Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez, Petroleum and Mining Minister Eulogio Del Pino, and Industry and Commerce Minister Miguel Perez Abad.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said this country is closely monitoring the situation and will ensure there is no illegal entry of Venezuelans into the country.

Earlier this month, then Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert said at least 43 Venezuelan nationals had overstayed their visit in Trinidad & Tobago.

Young has not commented on the political disturbances in Caracas but said “Venezuela is one of our closest neighbours.

“The President of Venezuela who is still the sitting President, has made a request of our government for meetings during the day and we are facilitating those meetings.”

Dillion told reporters “what is happening in Venezuela, we are fully aware of but that does not mean the discussions should not continue.

“If there is a situation where refugees start coming across to TT, then we have to be prepared for them.” He explained, “Under international humanitarian law, one cannot turn back people into your country. If they come in as refugees, then you have to be able to take care of them”,

But Dillon said that people can apply under international humanitarian law to any country for refugee status, “it is up to the receiving country to grant that status”.