GUYANESE OFFICIAL DETAINED

Earlier this month, the US Customs and Border Protection agents in Miami seized the mobile telephone of the administrative head of Guyana’s security ministry, questioned and detained her then allowed her to continue onwards to China to attend a conference.

Until last week, only a few people at the highest levels of government had known about the very traumatic incident involving Mae Toussaint Thomas, but once the news broke in Guyana in the past week, it reminded Guyanese authorities about the separation of powers in the system of governance in the US as distinct from that of Guyana.

Local media is reporting this week that, unknown to her, the permanent secretary at the home affairs ministry has apparently been on the watch list of federal authorities and even though it is unclear as to exactly why, police and other intelligence officials believe that it has much to do with her association with businessmen of dubious character in Guyana. Some of them are known to be of interest to federal authorities for alleged gold smuggling and other crimes.

The detention and the seizure of her mobile device has so shaken up parts of the business community, the criminal underworld and the political elite that many are now reluctant to travel to the US even as the summer peak season approaches. They fear arrest as they are uncertain whether or not they are on any American watchlist and what kind of information American officials might have on them. Federal authorities prefer that they be allowed to travel so unimpeded so that they can be nabbed in the US rather than a home where political and other influences can be exerted.

The top official, meanwhile, has returned to Guyana in recent days, albeit through London rather than the US and is expected to brief top government officials on her surprising ordeal.

So far, authorities of the administration of President Irfaan Ali are standing behind PS Toussaint Thomas. Minister of Security, Robeson Benn told reporters on Monday that she will keep her job while officials await a full probe into the circumstances.

“This has nothing to do about the question of retaining her. There is no question about that…I’m surprised that question would be raised,” Benn said. We will get a statement from her and then we will engage with the authorities as to the happenstance.”

Authorities have tried to probe the American mission in Guyana for answers but diplomats have so far refused to treat with them, saying only in a missive that border agents can request information from any traveler entering the US to determine admissibility.

The embassy here has quietly been revoking many visas of people charged with felony offences, especially those linked to narcotic smuggling, trafficking in person, alien and weapons smuggling, sexual assault and rapes and a host of other serious offenses. Those affected are quietly so informed. Airlines and airport check in staff are as well.

Asked if he feared that his own entry visa could be taken away, Minister Benn dismissed such, basically saying that the US is not a bed of roses.

“I don’t care about my visa. I don’t know about that. When I’m told, I’ll see and that will be a laugh. The US is not heaven and earth. Guyana is heaven and earth. If it is revoked, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, businessman Nazar Mohamed, perhaps the richest man in Guyana recently hired a US lobby firm to help him retrieve a revoked visa for him and other family members, saying he has done nothing wrong in the past and is unsure why his previous visa is not being renewed. A staunch supporter of the governing party and President Ali, family members have indicated that they are desperate to return to the US for family functions and other socials. PS Thomas is known to be close to the Mohamed family and has been seen in photographs with Mohamed’s flamboyant son in the past.

The visas of at least two ministers of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) while it was in government previously, were revoked for alleged malfeasance linked to support for extra judicial death squads, connections to the criminal underworld and other issues. Two police chiefs were similarly treated during that period as well.