Latest update April 12th, 2026 12:50 AM
Norton rejects foreign deportees
…says Guyana must not import crime
(Kaieteur News) – Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and leader of the PNCR- Aubrey Norton has firmly rejected any move for Guyana to accept foreign criminal deportees, warning that the country is already struggling to manage its own crime challenges.
Speaking at a APNU’s weekly press conference last Friday, Norton stressed that while Guyana has an obligation to accept its own nationals, bringing in non-Guyanese offenders is “unacceptable” and against the country’s best interests. He argued that the nation lacks the capacity, systems, and rehabilitation structures to manage such individuals effectively.
Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton
Calling it unacceptable he went on to say that the country is unprepared for this and as a small developing state the costs outweighs the benefits. Additionally, he does not feel it would be a sensible move, as when the justice system is looked at, while the government continues to speak about reformation there is none happening.
“This constitutes to an added danger, as once the deportees do whatever times is needed, when they are released they can very well cause problems for the country.” Norton said while it is acknowledged that there is a human resource shortage, and shortages in other aspects in the economy, there is no programme to ensure that persons will be screened for the skills needed and regularised.
He stressed that the government, “…seem only willing to concede to the US and whatever the US wants. “That is dangerous because and like I’ve said before we are not anti-United States, we are pro- Guyanese. We believe our interest must come first, and it cannot be in our interest for us to take deportees from another country in Guyana.”
Norton previously had called on the government to halt all discussions with the United States (U.S.) regarding the acceptance of third-country nationals. He said then that Guyana’s oil wealth must be managed prudently, warning that current geopolitical developments in Latin America and the Caribbean could further strain the country’s economy.
Back in January Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said Guyana is in talks with the U.S. to accept third-country nationals. Persaud also confirmed that the government is engaged in consultations with the U.S. on an arrangement to facilitate the transfer of third-country nationals.
“Specific details and operating procedures including the responsibilities of the sending and receiving parties are still being discussed both bilaterally and internally, to ensure that the arrangement is implemented in full compliance of international legal obligations and national laws and policies of Guyana,” Persaud had stated.
He also noted that the U.S. is a strategic partner for Guyana and that the two countries will continue to work closely to strengthen bilateral relations through increased cooperation in areas such as security, defence, migration, trade, investment and energy. However, Persaud noted that because consultations are ongoing between the two countries, it is not possible at this time to provide specific details on the third-country nationals.
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