By Kristen Macklingam
December 18, 2024
Less than 24 hours after Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Nigel Hughes, claimed that his party had rescued 50 Venezuelan migrants, including young children, the group was left stranded at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in Georgetown without assistance.
Hughes had earlier stated that the AFC would care for the migrants, but on Tuesday, the group was taken to the ministry’s compound and abandoned by the party, with no follow-up support provided.
This act has drawn criticism from officials, including Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, who accused Hughes and the AFC of using vulnerable migrants as political pawns in an effort to discredit the government.
Minister McCoy called out the party’s actions as deceptive and harmful, emphasizing that the AFC’s commitment to assisting the migrants had not been honored.
He also stated that the group’s sudden abandonment showed the party’s lack of responsibility and reliability in handling public matters.
The 35 adult Warrau migrants and their children were left without any immediate support.
However, Member of Parliament Alister Charlie and Permanent Secretary Ryan Tulsiram stepped in, providing each migrant with $10,000 in cash and a hamper before arranging transportation back to Parika, ensuring they could safely return to their homes.
This incident marks the second time in a week that Venezuelan migrants have sought assistance at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, with the ministry stepping in to offer help both times.