Appeal for Confiscation of Machineries of corrupt officials as in Venezuela

Sep 16, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

The US government seized Venezuela’s Air Force One used by Nicolas Maduro. The aircraft at the time was in Santo Domingo and the mighty Americans moved in and seized it; The government of the Dominican Republic cooperated. What choice did it have? The US also moved to sanction Venezuelan officials and revoke visas of many. Seizing the material possessions of the corrupt may help to deter corruption. In Guyana, the corrupt have moved to hiding their ill-gotten wealth by purchasing machinery, equipment, and vehicles. America must move to confiscate them.

Maduro has been involved in corruption, election rigging, and a sleuth of other illicit activities enriching himself and his family and officials of the government. In Guyana, there has been massive corruption, like never before experienced. Hundreds of billions of dollars were looted by officials, families, friends, and business partners through a variety of contracting schemes. Since last June, several Ministers, other government officials, and business people were sanctioned by the US government for corruption and money laundering; several had their American visas revoked. Canada and the European Union also revoked the visas of several of them. Several Ministers were questioned at the airport for their role in corrupt schemes especially in infrastructure and mining.

The American sanctions, visa cancellations, and grilling at American airports have not influenced their behavior and corrupt ways. Corruption continues unabated in Guyana. And the sanctioned remain arrogant and defiant. Those sanctioned defiantly commented to friends, “Who is America to tell our government what to do”, adding: “We don’t need America. Life is better in Guyana. We will build our own America in Guyana”.

As the Americans did regarding Venezuela, Washington must move to confiscate material possessions of the corrupt of Guyana. The corrupt in Guyana have acquired properties in USA and Canada; these must be seized to send a clear message that the corrupt will not enjoy their stolen proceeds. The corrupt can’t easily bank loot in Guyana or take to USA, Canada, and UK. They have turned to purchasing equipment and machinery with cash. Thousands of vehicles and machineries have been bought by corrupt officials, highest ranking included, and corrupt others and kept at various places. If one drives around, you will see them parked at various storage locations. That is a new way to hide their ill-gotten proceeds. Washington is urged to seize these machinery, vehicles, and equipment and to continue sanctioning corrupt officials and business people as well as their businesses.

Guyanese officials at the highest levels, as in Venezuela, must be reined in with visa revocations and confiscation of wealth including material possessions. The ABCE countries must continue the pressure with additional sanctioning and revocation of visas of those involved in corruption at the highest and lowest levels. Their bank accounts must be sanctioned, and they must not be able to travel overseas. In addition, their ill-gotten material wealth hidden in purchases must be seized.

Yours truly,
Jerome Blackwell

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Appeal for Confiscation of Machineries of corrupt officials as in Venezuela

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