August 25, 2020

Source

GEORGETOWN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Ever since Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) found vast deposits of oil off Guyana's coastline in 2015, government leaders have pledged that black gold would transform the fortunes of one of South America's poorest countries.

This year alone, the economy should grow 48%, the fastest rate on the planet, according to the World Bank.

But managed poorly, development experts and diplomats warn, those funds will stoke Guyana's overheated, race-based politics, while adding the nation to a long list of petrostates whose people have remained poor despite vast resource wealth.

In May, Guyana's government announced it had tapped the sovereign wealth fund that holds the royalties paid by oil producers for the first time. By year-end, drawdowns will exceed $600 million, a figure that will soon balloon into the billions.

By 2027, Exxon and its partners, New York-based Hess and China National Offshore Oil Corp (0883.HK), aim to pump 1.2 million barrels per day from Guyana's seabed, making the country by far the world's largest producer per capita. read more

"Prepare for a massive influx of government revenue with little expertise on how to handle it," wrote analysts at the U.S. Agency for International Development in a report released earlier this year.

Interviews with more than 30 politicians, entrepreneurs, activists and citizens across the country showed both the buoyant aspirations and profound anxieties of a nation on the cusp of radical transformation.

The current government, supported largely by Guyanese of East Indian descent, says the oil boom will fund broad-based development with a focus on infrastructure and education for the nation's roughly 790,000 residents. read more

"Our commitment as a government is to ensure that opportunities are real across the country, irrespective of where one lives, irrespective of who someone might have voted for," Guyana's Finance Minister Ashni Singh said in an interview.

But many communities, particularly in areas associated with the Afro-Guyanese opposition, are skeptical. Some complain cash and contracts are already flowing to government supporters and allege the ruling party is installing loyalists to bodies meant to govern the nation's newfound riches – allegations that Guyana's leaders deny.

"What they're seeking to do is use oil for political patronage," said Aubrey Norton, a federal lawmaker and the head of the opposition. "There's no vision."

MAJOR OPPORTUNITY, COMPLEX TIMING

Tucked between Venezuela and Suriname, statecraft has long been volatile in Guyana, due in part to competition between its main ethnic groups.

Descendants of African slaves compose about 30% of the population. Another 40% of Guyanese descend from indentured workers from India. Mixed race and Amerindian peoples largely make up the remainder.

President Irfaan Ali of the largely Indo-Guyanese People's Progressive Party (PPP) assumed power in 2020 following a months-long political standoff after a disputed election.

In the legislature, the PPP is now in a position to make pivotal decisions regarding the nation's future thanks to a razor-thin, two-seat advantage over the opposition, led by a mainly Afro-Guyanese grouping of parties known as A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). In recent months, the two sides have butted heads on every issue from how the government's ballooning accounts should be audited to key appointments.

But perhaps the most central dispute has been fought over how to govern the Natural Resources Fund, the sovereign wealth fund holding Guyana's oil royalties. read more

Among the opposition's qualms with the current legislation, which came into effect this year, is that they have no right to appoint representatives to its board. That's a major concern in a country with a history of endemic corruption, they say.

The government calls those concerns baseless.

Singh, the finance minister, told Reuters a proposal under the previous APNU government, which was in power from 2015 through 2020, would have centralized power in the hands of the ruling party to an even greater degree.

In any case, he argued, the credentials of the government's board nominees are unimpeachable.

The opposition counters by saying that is beside the point. Regardless of any individual's qualifications, they deserve a seat at the table.

"When everyone is from one side, it sends one message - and that is that the fund will be politicized," said Vincent Adams, a former environmental regulator whose nomination to the board by the opposition was rejected by the government.

FIGHT FOR FUNDS

Beyond the halls of the National Assembly, Afro-Guyanese communities have taken to the streets at times to call out the government for allegedly unfair distribution of resources.

In an interview, the opposition leader Norton argued the government's generous use of cash handouts, often administered by local bureaucrats, promotes corruption and political favoritism.

The government has consistently denied any graft and said handout programs are subject to a federal audit. Outwardly, the government has made a point of adopting inclusive rhetoric.

But the fight for resources is often subtler than a battle over bags of cash.

Under the previous government, many state-owned sugar farms - known locally as estates - were closed or downsized amid flagging productivity. That enraged the Indo-Guyanese community, whose members make up the vast majority of workers on those estates.

Since the government changed hands, the roles have begun to reverse, with many Afro-Guyanese complaining that sugar-growing communities are getting outsized investments, while their own neighborhoods are neglected.

The Uitvlugt Estate west of Georgetown lost hundreds of workers to other industries as the former government refused to adjust salaries, its manager Yudhisthira Mana said.

But in the last year, government investment has flooded back.

"What is happening with sugar now, I have never seen in my lifetime in terms of capital injection," said Mana, a 38-year veteran of the trade. He recounted with a smile a recent visit from President Ali, whose personal residence is nearby.

Fifty miles south, however, in the primarily Afro-Guyanese bauxite-mining town of Linden, much of the population is wary.

The government has made significant investments here, including an aggressive push to pave and resurface the isolated region's undermaintained roadways.

But many residents suspect their region is getting less than they are owed.

"We're in mourning because it seems Linden isn't benefiting like the rest of the country," said Charles Antigua, a retired miner.

Also fueling the sense of inequality is that most of the country's major entrepreneurs are Indo-Guyanese, giving their ranks a massive advantage in cashing in directly from the fast-growing oil sector.

One such businessman, Nazar Mohamed, a port developer, said in an interview that President Ali had asked him if he could add an Afro-Guyanese investor to a planned project near Georgetown, but that few had the funds.

Ali's office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the purported request.

"We did approach several persons," said Mohamed. "But they couldn't even find the money for the studies, much less building the project."

Article by.

Gram Slattery

Thomson Reuters

Rio de Janeiro-based correspondent specializing in the oil and gas industry, as well as white-collar crime and corruption. Recent stories have shed light on criminal wrongdoing by some of the world’s largest commodity traders and revealed how organized crime groups have infiltrated Brazil’s largest fuel distributors. Previously posted in São Paulo and Santiago and has also reported extensively from Argentina and Bolivia. He was born in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College.

Well since i injured my rt elbow (damaged tendon)last Dec, I havent been cooking a lot esp kneading flour

but i am slowly getting better n last night I decided to make my pizza again after 6 months..

made 2 ..1 veggies n other veggies with smoked turkey scraps..

(roasted the veggies: mushroom, eggplant, zucchini, red/gree/.yelow/orange sweet peppers, broccoli n cauliflower)

seasoned with eschallot n basil leaves..plus halved grape tomatoes n pineapple chunks on top

I also made  a crustless quiche using the same veggies (low carbs suitable for diabetics)

If you were asked to use one word to describe the Christian life, which one would you choose? Many of us would pick faith because believing in Jesus is the foundation of Christianity. But did you know that the believer’s life should also be characterized by good works? While we aren’t saved by anything good we’ve done, genuine salvation always results in a changed life, complete with new thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Every Christian should be a living, walking example of good deeds.

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he commended them for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). Everything we do should be motivated by faith, hope, and love, which are rooted in our relationship with Christ.

So now the question is, What qualifies as good work in the Christian life? Scripture is filled with examples: caring for others, meeting needs, giving our time and treasure, and engaging in activities like worship, prayer, and Bible reading. These are the activities that should characterize us as God’s children and Christ’s representatives in this world.

As we consider the topic of good works, we must remember four important truths. Otherwise we may assume that we are the ones who define what’s good, what needs to be done, and how it should be accomplished.

First of all, God determines what He wants each of us to do. According to Ephesians 2:10, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Since we belong to Christ, who purchased us with His blood, He has full authority over our life. There are specific tasks we are appointed to accomplish as we walk according to His will. If we think believing in Christ means attending church on Sundays but living as we please all week long, we’re wasting our life. Christians are the people through whom the Holy Spirit is carrying out the work of Christ here on earth. He redeemed us from sin and purified us for Himself so we could be people zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:14).

Second, God equips us for whatever He calls us to do. He “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Eph. 3:20).  In every opportunity God gives and every act of service He calls us to perform, He has already provided whatever we need to accomplish the task before us.

Just consider the many resources the Lord uses to empower us for good works. His indwelling Spirit gives us direction and strength to obey, as well as spiritual gifts that enable us to serve Him. He uses the Scripture to teach, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness so we’ll be adequately equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). And He uses our brothers and sisters in Christ to motivate us toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24). Even our wealth becomes a tool in His hands when we use it as He desires—“to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Tim. 6:18).

Third, our good works are to glorify God, and not ourselves. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called His followers “the light of the world” and said they were to let their light shine so others would see their good works and glorify the Father (Matt. 5:14-16). But just one chapter later, He warned them: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (6:1).

The difference is motivation. Although we should never seek the approval and praise of other people for what we do, our life should stand out and be characterized by good deeds in the midst of a dark, self-centered world. If commendations come our way, we need to remember that apart from Christ, we are nothing. Then we can simply pass the praise on to Him in a silent prayer of recognition and gratitude.

Fourth, God will one day judge our good works. What we do in this life will have a tremendous impact on our eternity. As believers, we will be called before the judgment seat of Christ to account for our deeds (2 Cor. 5:10). Some of our works will be worthless and burned up like wood, hay, and straw in the judgment. But we will be rewarded for the good works done in obedience to God, according to His power, and for His glory (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Although we don’t know exactly what these rewards will be, one thing is certain: They will signify a life of good deeds that glorified and pleased God. Nothing could be more valuable than receiving praise from our beloved Savior. So let’s each spend our life living for Him.

When it comes to good works, remember that these are not just religious activities. Christ takes into account whatever we do that flows from obedience to Him—at home, work, school, church, and beyond. Also, we must resist the temptation to compare our works with the achievements of others. We’re responsible only for the tasks God has prepared specifically for us.

This may be the secret of God-an evil god-that silence is unable to make a decision with time when we act thoughtfully of physically. This may correlate with why Hindus worship idols, the idols being silent showing the disability of silence because idols are silent-reflecting that Krishna has a disability. I have pre-diabetes, possibly indicating that my prognosis of silence correlates with this sickness, disabling a physical correction of the body. I am certain that anxiety correlates to this also. People often make decisions silently not knowing the ramifications of my reasoning. It is also possible that our hearts are a prisoner to this when it beats, since we don't hear it. Our watches are generally silent and no one is telling us that this is a fault. If silence makes a decision with time, the spirits may be able to understand life since the soul will become intelligent-enabling it to "hear" us.

Helloooo

happy Victoria day

what’s yr plans??

planting??

BBQ-ing??

whateveru do..have fun n stay safe!

Mohd Rafi Evergreen collection of Top 50

https://youtu.be/9y_zSxQeNUM

Oh my…

yest was out 39th anniv…

i cant believe i have been married for 1 yr short of 40!!

My dad lived to see their 34th anniversary..

so imagine that..I beat my parents!!

It is hard  to think it is has been so many years but then my oldest girl is 37, so that makes it real ..lol

PS

anyone has stories abt yr wedding day experience?? Care to share?? ( no need to divulge personal stuff or go in details …but anything in general? Something funny..joke??

Anybody using this app?

My eldest daughter intro me to it as she was learning Spanish before her trip to Mexico

So i asked her to download it for me..

n im addicted…

the thing is i did Spanish in high sch from form1-3 (1971-74)

I was top student getting 99% (just because my teacher didnt feel anyone deserved 100% so he had to search for a reson to take away that 1%..eg if i didnt cross a T or dot an I or the full-stop wasnt visibible enough..also handwriting!!

unfortunately I wasnt allowed to continue it to exam level because I opted to do Science…it was offered in Arts only.

well I am shocked how much i remember..ie the vocab..

Translation from spanish to English is simple for me..

n the verbs too..ie conjugation

Putting english to Spanish is abit challenging ie to make sentences…

never-the-lessm I managed to move up to emerald levels,( n in the top 3 too ) in a month.

Now it is more difficult..meaning i have to learn it at this leavel..

PS

hubby is laughing at me..wants to know if im planning to relocate to s Spanish speaking country..lol

iT is  good for the ‘ole’ brain ..

i am having so much fun..

Anyone looking at India’s Best Dancer?

well there r so many talented dancers on this show..itis hard to pick a winner

Anyone seen Runway 34??

i happened to stumble upon this story half way n it seemed interesting so i restarted it ..

i enjoyed it..

produced, directed n staring Ajay Devgan..based on true story.

i was impressed

Happy Mothers’ day to the moms (  n single dads too)

Cheers!!

PS

Me big daata away(In mexico since April 3rd )

but d lil wan coming  over tonite..

we will go out for brunch (Cora’s) on Sun   n will visit the BCC  (have to pick up 2 orders from People’s)

If me me nah feel too lazy tonite, I will make some cinnamon rolls .  Going n cook lil chicken chowmein  for today’s lunch

have a fabulous weekend..stay safe n be good to yourself n others..

Dads..hope u treat the mamas to a restful day!

So i saw this pix on fb(stole it from fb)

how-many of u  made this ingenious creation..my bros did

D2 gat Sean wid the coconut branch bat, some good lash pan him.

Dave the Peacemaker trying to get Sean to stay in the Backdam.

That chap D2 always fighting. Now trying to get Sean out of the Backdam back into the VCillage.

Lawd ah Murcy.

Indian Indentureship and its causes

May 01, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – This Friday’s Indian Arrival Day holiday reminds us that between 1838 and 1917, 239,000 Indians were brought as “indentured labourers” for the sugar plantations of Guyana. The question arises as to why they left their country when their custom forbade “crossing the “Black Waters” (Kala Pani)” on pain of “social death”. The short answer is that for most, it was a choice between life and death.

While indentured labour might be seen as a transitory episode of human labour from chattel slavery to the so-called modern “free labour”, the conditions that herded Indians into that option were man-made. For the so-called “pull factors”, the Guyanese sugar planters were convinced the freed Africans would not sell their labour at a rate to make sugar profitable. Unlike islands such as Antigua and Barbados, available land could provide them with alternative sources of sustenance than the sites of their degradation.

That the planters would soon lose the preferential tariffs that made WI sugar more profitable than beet and slave-produced sugar from countries like Brazil, was the clinching argument. They therefore actively sought new supplies of labour that would guarantee cheap and disciplined bodies on demand, even before full freedom arrived with the end of Apprenticeship in 1838. They resuscitated indentureship, the form of labour that had preceded slavery, where workers were contractually bound for a number of years to work under specified conditions and low wages. But where would such rates – which could not even attract freed slaves – be a “pull factor” for indentureship?

The answer was famine-struck Madeira starting in 1835 (30,685), the smaller WI Islands especially Barbados, 1835 (42,512), “Liberated Africans”, 1838 (13,355), British India, 1838 (239,909) and China, 1853 (14,189). India provided the most indentured labour due to enormous numbers of Indians thrown into destitution under British rule and, as in Barbados, the wages and conditions unacceptable to our freed slaves, were attractive to them.

The story of Indian immigration actually begins in 1757, when the troops of the British East India Company captured Bengal from the Moguls, and inexorable completed their conquest of the legendarily rich India within 50 years. Less than a decade later, between 1768 and 1771, in Bengal and Eastern Bihar (from where most Guyanese immigrants originated), more than 10 million persons – one third of the population – died from a “famine”. Why? Two reasons: Firstly, the farmers who supplied the bulk of the population with foodstuff were forced by the British into producing cash crops for export – even while they were forced to pay onerous taxes at the threat of death and violence that left them penniless.

Of the food staples produced, at the height of the famine grain merchants exported a record 800,000 tons of wheat and 1.9 million tons of rice. As peasants starved and perished, officials were ordered “to discourage relief works in every possible way”. British Governor Warren Hastings, boasted to the Home Office: “Notwithstanding the loss of at least one-third of the inhabitants of the province, and the consequent decrease of the cultivation, the net collections of the year 1771 exceeded even those of I768… It was naturally to be expected that the diminution of the revenue should have kept an equal pace with the other consequences of so great a calamity. That it did not was owing to it being violently kept up to its former standard.” Between the Bengal famine of 1768 and the end of Indentureship in 1917, conservatively, over 54 million Indians perished from famine.

The cash crops the farmers were forced to grow included cotton, poppy (for opium), and indigo and, as described above, staples like rice and wheat. This simply sufficed to pay the extortionate British tax demands or lose their lands, which many did. Millions also became jobless when the British forbade Indian weavers from producing cotton yarn and the cotton fabrics that had enthralled Europe. Henceforth, only cotton woven by British looms could be sold in India! Where were unemployed weavers to get the money to buy food, much less clothes? Incidentally, Britain became the largest drug dealers up to the present, with up to 800 tons of opium shipped to China annually so that the British could buy Chinese tea.

Even before the start of indentureship, millions of Indians were migrants looking jobs within India: British Guiana and other colonies provided a vent.

Sincerely
Ravi Dev

Source:

Charrandass Persaud axed by Pres. Ali over obscene outburst in India

Charrandass Persaud

Guyana’s High Commissioner to India Charrandass Persaud will be recalled following the circulation of a video which shows him verbally abusing a woman at his official residence in India.

President Dr Irfaan Ali moments ago announced that he had a conversation with Persaud on the issue during which he [Persaud] accepted full responsibility for his actions and agreed to return home.

President Ali said the Guyana Government will now take all official steps and measures to ensure a smooth transition.

The President elaborated that during his discussion with Persaud, he emphasised the importance of representatives of Guyana conducting themselves in the highest regard.

He also reiterated that the issue in question, which occurred in August 2021, was already dealt with by the relevant agencies in India during which no evidence of misconduct was found.

The Head of State also noted that the video in circulation does not completely demonstrate what transpired.

Notwithstanding, the Head of State posited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Guyana Government will continue to work to strengthen its relationship with India and every partner across the globe.

In this regard, he said it is in the “best interest” that Persaud return home.

In the video, Persaud is heard telling the woman: “You probably want the dog to f**k you, that is what you want. And I don’t care. I don’t care who you are…f**k you.”

The video has been making its rounds on social media but this publication understands that the incident occurred since August 2021.

Following the rapid circulation of the video on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation released a statement on the incident.

See full statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is aware of material circulating on social media relating to allegations made against His Excellency Charrandass Persaud, High Commissioner of Guyana to India regarding an incident which occurred on August 1, 2021 on the premises of the High Commissioner’s residence.

This matter, brought to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs of India by High Commissioner Persaud, was fully investigated by the relevant authorities and a formal response to the High Commission dated September 3, 2022 indicates that “allegations of sexual abusive words to complainant has [sic] not been substantiated”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation therefore considers this matter closed.

Wht’s up peeps!!

riany day today..

whts cooking ?? Or eating??

take out?

i made chicken curry with nuff aloo b baked salmon n roasted some eggplant slices (yummy) for a late lunch yesterday

then cooked spinach n karaila later in the night

today it i dhal  n some tuna fishcakes  n fry ochro

I have a baigan left over so im thinking of making baigan choka or curry with aloo n fat shrimps tomorrow or  Tues

well..

this week looks warmer than past 2 wkks

so u guys enjoy

stay safe

PS

i think my gf left forum for good because las yr she said she wud be back in Fall ..

she bring me here n then  leff me  all alone now…(THE NEW FORMAT DROVE HER AWAY)

so sad..!

it not easy fuh gyaff alone ..hahaha (like only mad people does talk to themselves)

so i try to keep the convo going .  I appreciate the few of u who humor me n keep it going

so thanks to BM Amral, Prezzy Irfon, Mits bhaiya n Cainster n even BM Django

Jagdeo and oil companies

Kaieteur News – Guyana’s approval of the 5^th oil project, Uaru, in the Stabroek Block was inevitable.  Now it is almost official, with ExxonMobil and its partners rejoicing, and the Guyanese left holding their hands out, and wondering if they will ever get more from their oil treasure.  What is revealing is the sequence around which this 5^th oil project’s approval.  Instead of straightness from the PPPC Government, there were these schemes, which fool fewer citizens daily.

Hess Corporation’s CEO John Hess in early August 2022 announced that a plan of development was to be submitted to the Guyana Government by the end of last year.  The approval of this 5^th oilfield was expected early in 2023, with the 1^st quarter end floated as a strong possibility.  In March, the CEO of MODEC, the Japanese firm building the Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel said approval of the 5^th project was just a formality.  This is what the management of Guyana’s oil boils down to: Americans rushing excitedly ahead with their plans for rich profits, and the Japanese saying approval is a formality.

Meanwhile, the Guyanese people are in the dark of where matters stand or that when the 5^th project is approved, more has been negotiated for them.  It is now almost the end of April, and from nowhere, Guyanese are greeted with two pieces of news relative to their oil patrimony.  First, CEO Hess reported that oil has been found in the Lancelet-1 exploratory field.  The second is that, within hours of Hess’s big announcement, Guyana’s oil czar, Bharat Jagdeo unveiled his own bigger announcement: the 5^th project’s pending approval by the Guyana Government.

What is conspicuous is that Jagdeo is trying to make the Guyanese people believe that it is a government decision, and not his alone.  By now, most Guyanese laugh at that piece of leadership acrobatics.  What is also crystal clear is that the project’s approval was indeed a mere formality (like the Japanese said earlier).  This late April approval by Jagdeo is part of the lip gloss applied to put a neat sheen on the process, when it was a done deal all the time.

It is obvious that the PPPC Government, and the Vice President, do not care how their stewardship of this precious national commodity is seen and evaluated.  It was the Vice President himself who said that his party is prepared to lose some votes, if that is the consequence that follows.  Stated differently, there is no care regarding how the Guyanese people react, and what they do to register their disapproval.  What matters above all else is how he is in total sync with ExxonMobil and its partners (Hess Corp and the Chinese company) with this oil wealth of Guyana, by giving them what they want, when they want it, and allowing them to decide how much they are going to pay for it.

Guyanese know that the 5^th oil project is to cost US$12 billion at the minimum.  But beyond that they do not know much more at this time, when Guyana nears approval. From all indications, it doesn’t matter to the man managing the oil, Bharat Jagdeo that these new projects being lined up for approval provide openings for Guyana to explore for its advantage.  Nor does it matter that these projects could be used by Guyana to give it significant leverage in extracting some comparatively better terms from what this country has been getting from all of its previous oil projects.  To sign-off on this 5^th project with the equivalent of our hands tied behind our backs is the worst way imaginable to represent the interests of the Guyanese people.

When all this is given careful consideration, it is now beyond doubt that Guyana’s Bharat Jagdeo is as one with ExxonMobil’s Routledge and Hess Corporation John Hess.  He is closer to them than the Guyanese people where this oil is concerned.  It gives new meaning to all the ducking and dodging that are now constant with him, whenever he is asked for real answers and genuine truths about the nation’s oil.  The other projects being lined up for approval look similarly foregone, meaning, done deals under the same vile terms.

Source:

Chopped No. 55 woman says still being threatened by attacker

-urges cops to apprehend him

Thirty-four-year-old Sandy Persaud continues to live in fear as police in Region Six have failed to arrest her partner of four years who brutally chopped her about her body earlier this month resulting in her now being unable to move around on her own.

Persaud, also known as `Baby’, 34, of Number 55 Village was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital on April 5th after which she was transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and was hospitalized for several weeks before being released recently.

The attacker was identified as her partner who she separated from in February, Sasenarine Bridgemohan Sankar also known as `Wire’, 47, a barber.

Source:

Good Read ,see attachment.

1871_Jenkins The_coolie__his_rights, wrongs_Authors edition.pdf

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Immigration officials in the United States have refused to give an explanation after a mobile phone belonging to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Guyana, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, who was travelling through America en route to China, was seized.  

In the aftermath of the incident, the Permanent Secretary of Guyana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, sought an explanation but was told that nothing could be provided.

“We do not have any specific information to share,” US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Adrienne Galanek, told Harper on Friday in response to an enquiry hours after an enquiry appeared in the Stabroek News.

However, the American Embassy's correspondence merely reproduced standard Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reasons for conducting secondary checks on all incoming foreigners and American citizens.

“If CBP officers at a port of entry need more information to determine your admissibility into the US, you may be directed to an interview area known as secondary inspection,” the document said.

The American Embassy advised the Guyana government that CBP agents could ask persons detailed information about the purpose for visiting the US, travel history, and they and their belongings could be searched thoroughly.

“Such inspections may include a search of all electronic information stored on your laptop, cell phone and other electronic device.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Demerara Waves Online News, a senior Guyana government official said the United States is not obligated to offer an explanation concerning the seizure of the phone.

“It is not something that they are legally or statutorily required to do. It is a courtesy,” the official said.

The official told the online news outlet that the Guyana government was not formally notified of the incident and so the government would await the return of the permanent secretary.

According to Demerara Waves Online News, the permanent secretary's mobile phone could potentially contain sensitive national security information as well as communication with top government and ruling People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) officials, as she is the most senior civil servant responsible for the police, immigration, prisons, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Registry of Births and Deaths.

Phone of Permanent Secretary of Guyana’s Home Affairs Ministry seized by US immigration officials | Caribbean | Jamaica Gleaner (jamaica-gleaner.com)