Dear Editor,
I can’t believe the government is having serious discussions to take deported nationals from third countries. From reports it seems it is a done deal. There was no public discussion on this decision but it is foisted on us.
Recent reports alert other Caricom nations, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have also agreed to take in persons from third countries. In Antigua’s case it has set a cap of ten persons. It seems these two countries, faced with recent developments inimical to its interests and citizens, are left with no choice but to bow and kow-tow to the demands of superior powers in an effort to get some relief. What is Guyana’s reason?
With the influx over recent years of nationals from Venezuela, Cuba, and China among others, Guyana has its share of nationals from third countries. Would there be a cap on the number of persons being taken in? Already housing and other amenities and facilities are stretched for Guyanese. Now these have to be extended to accommodate and facilitate a situation we did not ask for.
This entire episode needs public ventilation. It does not sit well with me and I am sure many others. Couldn’t we just say a simple no, or would that have carried consequences?