Undoubtedly the culture in Guyana is changing largely because of the new oil industry. In any changing culture, the depravities of man also persist, especially when the distribution of the wealth and opportunities are inequitable. Time will reveal if the good life here benefits all Guyanese. Many, however, refuse to wait or work honestly and instead resort to crime to satisfy their wants and needs.
With the recent cases of missing persons in Guyana, I pondered on the changing culture. There have also been suggestions that kidnappings are occurring in Guyana. The Guyana Police Force has since debunked such allegations. However, it did reveal that it has established a Missing Person Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters. The unit has the responsibility of assuming the lead role in the investigation of such cases.
Despite the Guyana Police Force issuing a statement, many people are skeptical. They believe that something sinister is occurring. Some are also skeptical because they have little confidence in the Guyana Police Force.
It is not only recently that I have heard abduction allegations in Guyana. A friend shared that more than a year ago that there was an attempt to abduct two of her Venezuelan relatives. They were on the street and men tried to force them into a vehicle. They fought and the men eventually fled. About two weeks ago, another friend shared that there was an attempted abduction of her relative less than a month ago. The taxi driver deviated from her route and was heading into the backlands. It was her wisdom in the moment to call relatives and describe what was happening that saved her.
Besides those two occurrences, I have not heard of any other attempted abductions recently. Others may tell a different tale. It is natural for people to make assumptions and adjust their behaviour in a climate of fear and uncertainty.
There are a several reasons for missing persons. Some run away from home, some flee with their partners in cases where the family may disapprove of their relationship, some people do not want to be found, some are murdered, and some are taken and trafficked. We know that trafficking in persons is prevalent here. The work to address the issue is ongoing. Often, we have heard of victims of trafficking being rescued. In November last year, for example, nineteen women and their children were rescued in Region 3. The Ministry of Human Services and the Guyana Police Force play a vital role in rescuing victims of trafficking. Many foreigners from countries like Brazil and Venezuela are trafficked here.
According to information from the International Organisation for Migration, there are many forms of trafficking occurring in Guyana. This includes domestic servitude, sexual slavery, forced labour, child soldiers and child marriages, prostitution of another and illicit organ removal.
All forms of trafficking are cause for concern. It is not only foreigners that are trafficked here but many Guyanese too. I know a young woman who was trafficked a few years ago and was never the same. She was taken to the interior and was forced into prostitution. Not only did she become a drug addict but also suffered from mental illness. To be in a state of distress where you no longer have free will sullies the human experience. Through what lens will a child who is trafficked see the world? Our world is in constant chaos because much of the damage starts with the little ones.
The talks about illicit organ removal have always concerned me. To imagine that this may be occurring in Guyana is horrifying. I became aware of this practice years ago when I followed a case in the United States where a young man was missing and when he was found dead all his major organs had been removed. Anyone who has seen the movie “Get Out’ can interpret the film as being a metaphor for the practice of illicit organ removal. There are powerful people in this world who prey on the ordinary man. The parasites and predators of this world seek not only to control the masses but to feed on our vulnerabilities, our energies, our labour and our bodies.
Whether it is one or a hundred people missing at any point in Guyana, it is cause for concern. Fortunately, missing persons are often found.
Unfortunately, 19-year-old Joel Skeete did not return home. He was last seen alive on March 31st and his decomposed body was found on April 5th stuck between rocks on the riverbank. The autopsy revealed that he drowned. To lose a child under such mysterious circumstances, I can only imagine his loved ones’ pain.
And then there was 20-year-old Avinash Fernandes, who was last seen alive April 5th at his campsite located at 13 Miles Trail Line Backdam, Arakaka. On April 8th, he was found floating in Arakaka River. The autopsy revealed that he died as a result of asphyxiation due to manual strangulation. The results of the autopsy suggest that he was murdered and dumped into the river. Hopefully, the case will be solved.
Finally, 21-year-old Shonette Dover from Linden has been missing for a couple of weeks. We can only hope that eventually this young woman will be found alive.
Young or old, we must be always cognisant about our surroundings and possible dangers. We would like the world to be a utopia. To imagine a world where there is no evil and we all live in peace, love and harmony is uplifting. But our delusions will not save us. Some believe that hell is some place in an afterlife where the wicked will burn forever but look around our world. Can you not see that there are many indications that hell is here?
Sadly, many of us may appear to be alive, but the essence of what makes us human is missing. Many have died on the inside before they had the chance to really live. Therefore, the missing ones are not only the ones who have disappeared, but the missing ones are also those who are walking around but are not present and are waiting to die.
Heaven is the bliss when we know ourselves. When we can look within ourselves and be one with the universe. Inner peace and love can save us during the many storms. It is that we must cherish.
