Angry Guyanese stuck in the Middle East

Mar 18, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

The war in the Middle East (ME) stranded many Guyanese (mostly from the New York and Florida areas) who were vacationing in the area (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) or had transited there to and from India and used Middle Eastern carriers for their travel. Groups of Guyanese and Trinidadian Americans (living in USA) got caught in UAE and Qatar (while in transit) to and from India as the war drags on.

Several Guyanese also got stuck in India when the war began and the airspace to Middle East was closed. Once airspace closed, only a few flights began leaving the region as safety allowed. The angry Guyanese Americans and others spoke out about their frustration to get back to America and fears as President Trump administration reassured them that they are working to get them home. They asked not to be named.

The Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans flew Ethiad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways going to India on a spiritual journey and or for Holi celebrations when they war began. Two groups were already in India when the war commenced on February 28. Another group was stuck in Dubai on way to India. Several other Guyanese were in India for the T20 World Cup and got stuck in India itself or in the Middle East because air space was closed to fly out. Most Guyanese have returned to USA after being stuck in ME for up to two weeks; the UAE government provided for their hospitality while stranded, instructing hotels to keep them at the cost of the state. But several of them had to purchase tickets on other carriers through Europe in order to journey to USA, costing them a lot of additional expense and stress. They stayed there amidst anxiety and growing fear worried about their safety. This writer, in India on a lecture tour and for the World Cup, passed through Iran’s air space on a UK carrier hours before the bombing began; beautiful cities and towns could be seen illuminated in the night on the flight route are now in ruins. It was shocking to watch TV reports that bombing had commenced when only hours earlier there was peace and normalcy in the area.

The West Indies and England cricket teams were also stuck in India. The West Indians spent over week before a flight was chartered to get them home because carriers were overwhelmed and safety was a major concern. Missiles were raining in the Gulf airspace. The players have reached their destination.

Guyanese and Trini Americans who were stuck in India or the Middle East were very angry about the war that disrupted their travel. Unwilling to have their names published, they said they were on their own and had to make their own travel arrangements to get back to USA. And although they had a wonderful, peaceful time in India, their itinerary was disrupted and the trip not as fulfilling as expected. At the back of their thoughts was how they will get home through Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Qatar.

Over 100K Americans were stuck in the Middle East. The US government tried to bring home Americans through military and charter flights after the war began. India and European countries airlifted a lot of their citizens stuck in the ME; India also flew out no -Indians to safety Critics said methodical arrangements were not made by Washington before the war on how Americans in the war zone will get home. The vacationers scrambled to get home. The war caused them enormous hardship and a lot of unnecessary expenses as well as psychological distress. Their families in USA were also worried about their safety with some requesting from me, a regular traveler to the region, how to get home. They were advised to shelter in place and contact the USA Consulate for assistance. They were safe in India. The US Consulates in UAE did its best indeed trying circumstances. Information was provided by the American consulates in the region. A few are still stuck in Middle East but expected back in USA as more flights are leaving Middle East.President Trump committed to help every American stranded in the ME.

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