Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Wed, Jul 15, 2026
As Haiti crisis intensifies, Jagdeo defends PPP’s decisions against people-smuggling
Haiti has been engulfed in a worsening crisis with gangs in control of much of the country.
As Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other Caribbean leaders hammer out how best the island can be helped, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo defended efforts in the past to stop the trafficking or smuggling of Haitians.
The Vice President who is also the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) spoke at the memorial event for former President and party founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan on Sunday.
He began his lengthy address by telling the hundreds of PPP supporters and members gathered there that he intended to “set the record straight” on several issues, one being the PPP government’s efforts to curtail the smuggling of Haitians through Guyana.
According to him, thousands of Haitians were smuggled through Guyana to other countries in South America like Brazil. In 2021, after several Haitian children were found in a hotel, the government imposed visa requirements for Haitians, though that country is part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc that promotes free travel.
Jagdeo defended the government’s move, contending that the PPP’s opponents have sought to besmirch the government over the decision.
“The 40,000 Haitians didn’t stay here, they were smuggled through this country,” Jagdeo said.
Further, Jagdeo accused many critics of benefitting from the people-smuggling. That, he said, is why they are against the decisions taken by the government.
“They didn’t love the Haitians, it was a money-making venture.
“People are opposed to it not because they love the Haitians but because it affects them in their pockets,” Jagdeo said.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the current Chairman of CARICOM, will lead a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica on Monday between regional leaders and other partners from the internal community as urgent solutions are being sought to return stability to Haiti and ensure the citizens there can benefit from much-needed humanitarian aid.