HEARTLESS AND PITIFUL

Jun 10, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Lest we forget, it was not too long ago when thousands of Guyanese fled these shores for greener pastures in the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela, among other countries. The migration of Guyanese began in earnest in the 1970s, but the 1980s saw mass migration due to rapidly deteriorating economic and political conditions, shortages of basic items on a daily basis, and a country in crisis.
The mass migration of Guyanese to other countries continued throughout the 1990s and well into the new century. Many entered their adopted countries illegally, yet they were welcomed by the residents. At the time, Guyana’s was in dire straits, unemployment was high, foodstuff was scarce and crime soared. For many, it seemed that there was no future in the homeland. However, this changed.
In the last decade, Guyana has seen an influx of immigrants from several countries including Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, and as far as from India and China. Recently, we have seen hundreds of Venezuelans enter Guyana seeking a better life for their families. This is due to the fact that Venezuela is in the grips of the deepest economic crisis in the country’s history. For over a year, the streets of Caracas have been awash with blood and tear gas. Venezuelans from all walks of life have been protesting nearly every day to vent their anger over the massive shortages of food and basic amenities, violent crime and President Nicolás Maduro’s refusal to call elections.
The violent unrest has left at least 67 dead so far, and the political opposition has blamed the deaths on the State security forces and groups of armed pro-government civilians known as “Colectivos.” The sight of elderly Venezuelans joining the street protests and being tear-gassed and beaten by police in riot gear is a sad indication of the worsening conditions in the country. The elderly are angered by the fact that their once prosperous nation has devolved into a country with triple-digit inflation, a worthless currency, and shortages of basic necessities, particularly medicines and food, and having one of the world’s highest homicides rates.
In the last year, Venezuela’s diminishing economy has led to a deteriorating public health sector. Maternal mortality has risen by 66 percent over the previous year, with a staggering 756 lives being lost. The deaths were caused by hemorrhages, high blood pressure and infections due to the lack of qualified medical staff.
As Venezuela spirals into deeper crisis levels under the socialist administration of President Maduro, most hospitals are without staff, and many Universities are closed, as professors flee the country in droves, thus leaving students to struggle to complete their degrees. Many have sought refuge in neighbouring countries in search of a better life. Although no official emigration figures are available, it is estimated that more than a half million Venezuelans have fled to Spain and the United States, their traditionally popular destinations
In light of the ongoing economic crisis and political turmoil in Venezuela, many others have entered Guyana illegally to provide for their ailing families. And while many Guyanese have welcomed them, the administration has been unkind to them. Earlier this year, the government locked up several Venezuelan women who had overstayed their time in Guyana. Instead of offering them refugee status or some form of assistance because of their plight, they were charged, fined and escorted to the nearest port of exit after payment of the fine or serving an alternative of two weeks in prison.
It was heart-rending to hear the women apologize and beg for mercy. Not only did they plead guilty, but they explained to the Magistrate that the sole reason for them coming to Guyana was to provide for their families who were in dire need of food and basic necessities for survival.
As reported in this publication recently, three more Venezuelans were fined $30,000 for entering Guyana illegally and ordered deported. The same treatment is being meted out to other foreign nationals who are coming from circumstances that normal people should not have to endure.
How can the authorities here be so heartless and insensitive to the plight of these people after knowing the situation in their respective countries? It is pitiful.

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