The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday swooped down on a hotel in Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) where they found 10 juveniles claiming to be Haitian nationals. The five males and five females were not in possession of passports or any form of identification.
One of the 10 teenagers who spoke English told detectives that they were brought from Suriname by speedboat and left at the hotel since Monday last.
It is alleged that the person who took them to the hotel confiscated their passports, documents, money and personal belongings. The children were taken into protective custody as investigations continue.
The Haitians who were intercepted on their way to Brazil back in November 2020
It is suspected that the children were victims of a Trafficking in Persons (human smuggling) ring using Guyana as a transit point. In the past, Cubans, Haitians and Nigerians have been smuggled into Guyana and then on to other countries.
It is believed that this is the latest manifestation of this nefarious racket at work which seems to be operating on a daily basis.
The Attorney General’s office, in a release, stated that the Brazilian Government has already expressed concern about the situation. As such, the Surinamese Government has also shared intelligence, which suggests that the racket extends to that neighbouring republic.
“The Government of Guyana has already engaged the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana on this issue. It is believed that these persons, including children, are being trafficked to various parts of the world,” the release added.
Two Wednesdays ago, the Police had arrested a number of Haitians, Nigerians and Cubans near Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Police had stated that some of these persons did not have entry stamps in their passports in relation to Guyana. The racket is reportedly taking place when all neighbouring borders with Guyana are currently closed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken more than 430 lives and affected thousands locally.
In addition, there is a continuous influx of these persons at both Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle.
In the circumstances, the Government of Guyana feels compelled to inform the relevant international agencies dealing with human trafficking and smuggling of persons, including children.
“In this regard, we will engage the United Nations Humans Rights Council, the International Organisation for Migration and INTERPOL, and requests their urgent intervention and assistance,” the AG Chambers stated.
In the meantime, the Government will immediately review its immigration protocols and impose such lawful restrictions and conditions that it considers necessary in the circumstances.
In November 2020, Police in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) had arrested 26 Haitians who reportedly entered Guyana illegally. They were reportedly intercepted in two minibuses at Mabura Trail, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
It was reported that the Haitians were detained after it was discovered that they had entered the country illegally via Suriname. Police related that the foreign nationals were en route to neighbouring Brazil at the time of interception.
