Haitians found abandoned on Linden-Lethem trail

Jun 30, 2021 News

Kaieteur News – Eighty-one (81) Haitians were rescued on Sunday by law enforcement officials after they were found abandoned and wandering along the Linden-Lethem trail around the vicinity of the Kurupukari Crossing.
Based on information received by this publication, two children were amongst the 81 persons that were found. Kaieteur News understands that the Haitians formed a group to flee to Brazil after the free-visa travel to Guyana for Haitian citizens was recently revoked by President Irfaan Ali.
The group was found and picked up by law enforcement officials and was taken to the Lethem Immigration office, where they were held in custody. However, some of them were released given the fact that their documents are legal and it is alleged that they were staying legally in Guyana but were attempting to flee to neighbouring country, Brazil before their six-month visas expired.
Some of the Haitians remain in custody as their documents have already expired. It is unknown as to how the group got to the location where they were picked up. It is believed that they were in the jungle for days with limited food and water.
In January 2019, then President David Granger had signed an immigration order for Haiti to be added to the list of countries whose nationals could travel to Guyana without any visa requirement. Last week, President Ali, as published in an Extraordinary edition of the Official Gazette on June 22, 2021, revoked that Immigration Order of 2019 in its entirety with immediate effect.
Ali’s revocation came the same day Attorney General Anil Nandlall announced that government would be implementing a visa requirement for Haitians and Cubans as a condition of entry into Guyana.
Earlier in June, 10 Haitian nationals were found at the Swiss Hotel, Skeldon, Berbice. It was reported that the Haitians said they were left there by persons who they claimed brought them into Guyana through Suriname and took away their passports and other documents.
Police are currently investigating reports that at least eight Haitians are being held against their will in Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. Jairam Ramlakhan, Regional Commander, confirmed that a report was made and ranks visited the location but no one was found. Ramlakhan said that an investigation has been launched.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News