A sequence towards the inevitable

Jan 09, 2026 Editorial, News

(Kaieteur News) – From experience we have learned that there is a certain inevitability to the manner that certain developments occur in Guyana. There is a sequence, almost like a formula, towards a conclusion that may already be in the books where such decisions are recorded. Deportees from the US is on the table, but it is one with a difference.

They are not Guyanese citizens. How did the Government of Guyana get into this mess? Why is it that the government is part of such a conversation in the first place? The deportees with citizenship from other countries have no place here, and that is where any US overture or push should have started and come to a dead stop. Except that it has not, and does not give any assurance that such will be the case, i.e., where related Guyana-US talks on this issue grind to a halt, never to restart.

Unfortunately, the sequence of events has begun, with the PPPC Government seemingly vested in giving whatever the US request and objectives are a full listening. The sequence follows a certain line. To begin with, there is an announcement or caption from the government usually with a picture of a grinning, hand clasping, all too pleased with himself, President Irfaan Ali. The objective is to convey the impression of high-level, high stakes discussions on issues of state on the table. Then, he either goes off to some foreign destination, or the other side comes here, to sift through the matter. Whether he goes up into the clouds, or the dialogue goes on here, a cloud hangs over the deliberations and the outcomes of those. Next, the political opposition does its part, and calls for transparency, or pushes back as hard as it can, despite its limitations, without so much as one courteous word of response from the government.

Further, depending on the nature of the issue, how controversial or disturbing it is, sections of Guyana’s small civil society cohort may lend its voice through various inputs. In the past, there have been letters to the media, and more often than not, civil society members may even come out on the streets, and let their physical presence speak as to the relevance and concerning elements of the issue that is before the country. And, finally, the PPPC Government may or may not report to the nation that this is what took place, where matters ended up, and why. More often than not, Guyanese are left in the dark, other than for the uninformative being shared. Usually, not much sense can be made of how the government could have arrived at, or agreed to, what was decided.

We at this publication see this sequence in action relative to the deportees from other countries being accepted by Guyana to take up residence here. Why is the PPPC Government even opening the door a crack to have such a discussion with the US, give it a hearing? It would be healthy and constructive if the government’s leaders have the backbone to put an end to any such appeal by the US before the fifth word had been said, the one following these four fateful words -deportees from other countries.

Guyana already has enough social concerns and challenges with its own deportees, so it makes no sense to open that door now being knocked upon by the US. We have seen them on the streets, out of their heads, menacing, troublesome, and generally a cause for alarm for law-abiding Guyanese. There is awareness of those who look upon Guyana’s systems and standards as ancient, and therefore fair game for exploitation. And, Guyanese never stop hearing how strapped the system is with local circumstances and pressures. We haven’t even touched the issue of illegal immigrants in Guyana, regardless of their country of origin, and there has been quiet admission that there is so much that is not known, and that more controls are needed.

Yet, here it is that government releases inform the public that Guyana-US talks will focus on accepting deportees who are citizens of other countries. We say no to other countries’ deportees coming here, and that should be the position of the Guyana Government.

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deportees, Editorial, inevitable, PPPC Government

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