A Spanish-speaking Cuban couple who left their home soil in hopes of securing a better life for their family were on Thursday morning arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, shortly after being nabbed by Police ranks at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cuban national Juan Carlos Perez pleaded for himself and wife to stay and work in Guyana
An interpreter attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) took to the witness box to translate the charge which stated that Diaz Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Perez, between December 18, 2016 and April 11, 2017, failed to comply with conditions subject to which any permit had been granted, that is to say having been permitted to stay from November 18, 2016 to December 19, 2016, they overstayed the said period.
The unrepresented pair admitted to the offence with both individuals entering guilty pleas.
Prosecutor Arvin Moore related that the couple entered the country through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and uttered Republic of Cuba passports to immigration officials and were granted a one-month stay.
He continued that the period elapsed and this was discovered when their documents were checked by officials at the Mabura Police Checkpoint. Rodriguez and Perez were then told of the offences and transported to the Central Immigration Office in Georgetown, after which they were escorted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters where they were charged accordingly.
Perez told the court that he was a 47-year-old Civil Engineer, who had come to Guyana in light of the current hardships in Cuba. He explained that he and his wife pooled all their resources and came with nothing but good intentions, only seeking employment to support his ailing mother and three young daughters back at home.
A sobbing Perez apologised for his actions and begged the Magistrate’s forgiveness, even requesting that she found him gainful employment so he could continue to maintain his family.
His 33-year-old wife is reportedly a nurse back in Cuba and was employed at a local Chinese shop during her stay. The remorseful woman disclosed her wish not to be deported, as Cuba holds “nothing good” for them, rather pleading with the Chief Magistrate to allow them to continue to stay and work in Guyana.
The visibly distressed couple were ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 each, or serve a default of four week’ imprisonment after which they would be escorted to the nearest port of exit.
