Cuban remanded for forging visa after being turned down

A Cuban citizen on Thursday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with three counts of fraud.
Lazaro Pereira Alanzo denied the charges when they were read to him by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs–Marcus, through an interpreter.
The first charge against the 52-year-old man stated that on December 17, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Ayana Harris, a General Clerk at the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Citizenship one visa appointment confirmation letter, dated January 11, 2019, in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Mexican Embassy.
The second charge read that between September 29, 2018 and December 17, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he forged one visa appointment letter dated January 11, 2019, in favour of himself purporting to show that same was issued by the Mexican Embassy.
The Police further stated that between January 1, 2019 and January 8, 2019, at Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions subject to a permit via which he was granted permission to stay from the period September 29, 2018 and September 31, 2018, but overstayed.
In his defence, Alanzo told the court: “I am not guilty of the offences and I was tricked by the person who filled out the form for me and that bail should be granted to me.”
However, Police Prosecutor Adoni Innis objected to bail being granted to the foreigner, citing the prevalence of the offence and the fact he had no ties to Guyana.
The Prosecutor further stated that while the defendant was in Guyana, he applied for a visa at the Mexican Embassy, but his request was turned down.
The discovery of the forgery was made days later when he went to the Ministry. It was reported that the confirmation letter issued to the Ministry did not originate from the Mexican Embassy in Guyana.
The Police Prosecutor’s submission was upheld by the Magistrate, who remanded Alanzo to prison until January 14, 2019.