Dear Editor,
Multiple individuals, business people, media folks, and others in the diaspora and in Guyana asked a most relevant question: Isn’t it embarrassing for the police force when foreign law enforcement trace and find wanted criminals and also know the corrupt and can sanction thieving officials and business persons in Guyana? The foreign agents have files on every official on the take and every business person who give bribes and engage in corruption. What prevents law authorities in Guyana to find wanted criminals or charge the corrupt — the giver and the taker. The foreign agents don’t go after small criminals but the big ones — alleged murderers and drug traffickers and those who loot the treasury of large amounts of money in the billions. It is unfair to compare Guyana police and politicians with America’s given that the latter has unlimited resources and superior technology. The Americans have satellites that can read a number plate and listening devices to hear conversations from thousands of miles away. But do the Guyana police make a genuine effort to target corruption or go after hard core criminals?
The police have been able to find petty criminals, not the ‘maha chores’. They go after the small fish — little guys and gals for minor traffic offences and licensing issues for lunch and dinner cash. They don’t harass the big guys, the billionaire thieves, drug traffickers, and wanted criminals. Had it not been for the Americans, Guyanese would not have known about wanted criminals who have been sheltered in our country. Who shelters them and why?
As Guyanese in the diaspora note, it is embarrassing when foreigners point out how they have to come to the country to find wanted criminals and extradite them to face justice and when they have to sanction corrupt officials and business people for looting the treasury.
The accused, including those sanctioned for corruption, have a right to due process. The American judicial system is the best in the world. They will get a fair trial and great food and TV and other first class entertainment while in the lock up awaiting trial. The corrupt accused should clear their name — request a trial in America since the Guyanese police won’t charge them; have any accused corrupt ever been brought to trial? The corrupt should request an extradition to face justice in America, the land of hard work and opportunities. If convicted, agree to hand over the billions looted from the state! Our country will become a mini America if we recover and invest the loot pilfered from the state.
Yours sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
