A Venezuelan woman, who entered Guyana illegally, was on Friday fined $20,000 after pleading guilty to the crime.
The charge stated that Yenezolawe Del Cornercadeo, 36, on January 30, at Charity, Essequibo, entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer. She pleaded guilty in a Georgetown court and apologised for the offence through an interpreter.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Del Cornercadeo is a holder of a valid Venezuelan passport and on January 30 she entered Guyana in a small boat and she failed to present herself to the nearest immigration officer after she disembarked at Charity.
On February 19, the prosecutor said, the woman was an outgoing passenger at the Ogle Airport, destined for Kamarang. After she presented her passport to an immigration officer, it was realised that the woman was not granted a stay in Guyana.
Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, appeared for Del Cornercadeo, asked the court not to jail his client but rather consider imposing a fine. The attorney said the Venezuelan national was ignorant of the fact that she needed a visa to cross the border and she was just a visitor who wanted to explore Guyana’s beauty.
It was her interest in further discovering more of Guyana’s wildlife and flora which was leading her to Kamarang, he added.
Fung-A-Fat also said the woman is still willing to apply legally to visit Guyana.
Magistrate Ann McLennan, who heard the case, imposed a $20,000 fine with an alternative of one week in jail.
