Latest update September 20th, 2026 10:40 AM
The deportee programme
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my disgust and disappointment concerning the recent arrival of non-Guyanese nationals who were deported from the United States into our country Friday 4th September, 2026. It marks a dark chapter for our nation’s sovereignty, transparency, independence and democracy. The government had no choice but to accept the controversial third country deportation programme formulated by the U.S. government. Despite President Irfaan Ali boasting about Guyana’s sovereignty and independence, his administration was allegedly bullied by the U.S. to accept the first batch of four deported Cuban and two Afghan nationals who recently arrived in Guyana.
Public assurances from Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and President Irfaan Ali that the Cuban and Afghan nationals underwent a thorough and rigorous vetting process and were cleared of criminal records and were deported from the United States solely for visa violations were false. The President and the Foreign Secretary have explicitly denied that the six deportees were criminals. However, information has come to light that this might not be so.
How can Guyanese trust this government, which is shrouded in secrecy, cover-ups and does not believe that it is accountable to anyone. In fact, many senior public officials, including some ministers, believe that they are above the laws of the country.
What is most egregious is the endless dishonesty, lack of accountability and the absence of transparency from the Ali government which has baffled the Guyanese people and caused them not to trust the government. Guyanese found out about the Cuban and Afghan arrivals only after they had already landed on our soil. The decision by the government to bypass public consultation and keep the citizens uninformed is unacceptable, disrespectful and arrogant and a clear violation of the rights of every Guyanese citizen.
The people have demanded clarity and the immediate end or suspension of the third country deportation agreement between the Donald Trump administration and the Irfaan Ali government. Many felt that they were misled and betrayed by President Ali. Guyanese, including some in the administration do not believe the President or Foreign Secretary and have demand an independent verification process of the backgrounds of all foreign nationals before they are brough to Guyana. Would the government heed the demands of the public? The answer is no.
Regards,
Aubrey Retemyer
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
One thought on “The deportee programme”
Leave a Reply
Website Hits
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
Dear – Aubrey Retemyer, I could not phantom a word of inaccuracy of your letter. The Trump administration continues to bully its way by applying pressure on the 3rd world countries under the disguised of 3rd Party Immigrants. Question is why Guyanese should foot the bill for these people regardless of, if they are criminal or not. Who wants to believe the Trump administration is genuine by nature? Just a handful of other Caribbean countries who fear further visa sanctions. Some OECS countries are blacklisted due to a high degree of corruption with a CIP (Citizens by Investment Program) are doing same and treats everything in secrecy. If the people had leave Cuba or Afghanistan to travel to Guyana, then I don’t think that should be an issue. By all means some treats of sanctions would have face Guyana through the recent economic boom. The US foreign exchange can know how much money Guyana is getting from the crude oil export amongst other financial investment that’s going on. I keep saying Politicians keep prostituting the citizen votes for their own gain. A simple referendum could have done in the best interest of the country. That being said Guyana is the 3rd countries on the list for ICE deportation in the Englishing speaking country. The Ali administration seems to believe whatever they say the people will accept. Pure BS