The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has issued a sharp rebuke following the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s claim that it was unaware of the recent detention of Melissa Atwell, “a prolific critic of corruption in public and commercial life particularly by prominent political figures.”
Atwell, a Guyanese New York-based social media personality known for her outspoken commentary on corruption, was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. She was reportedly transferred to the Richwood Correctional Centre in Louisiana, which also houses high-profile detainees, including Mahmoud Khalil, a student protester involved in New York Gaza protests.
Atwell, who posts under the name “Melly Mel,” has long been an advocate for transparency and accountability. Her criticism has drawn the ire of the Government, leading to multiple libel suits, including one filed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C.
The Opposition, Alliance for Change (AFC), People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and other members of civil society have condemned her detention, suggesting that it may be linked to her political activism and vocal opposition to the PPP.
The GHRA has raised concerns about the timing of Atwell’s arrest, which followed closely on the heels of a meeting between President Irfaan Ali and U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, in Houston. The GHRA speculates that this could be more than a coincidence, considering the longstanding accusations that the Government has used vindictive tactics—such as tax claims, libel suits, and preferential business practices—against its critics. The statement from Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who claimed to be unaware of Atwell’s detention, has only fueled suspicions that the government is hiding something from the public.
President Donald Trump foreign policy
Atwell’s incident is just the latest in a string of actions from the United States that have caused alarm across the Caribbean. Under the pretext of cracking down on illegal immigration, the Trump administration’s aggressive policies have disproportionately affected people of colour, both legal and illegal immigrants, with a particular focus on migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries like Guyana, which have significant diaspora communities, are increasingly vulnerable to U.S. demands to assist in the deportation of individuals deemed undesirable by U.S. authorities.
The GHRA has previously criticised U.S. tactics that pressure countries like Guyana to comply with controversial policies aimed at targeting immigrants for deportation. The association draws parallels between Atwell’s detention and broader concerns about U.S. influence over Caribbean nations, particularly when it comes to the treatment of Cuban medical professionals.
For decades, Cuban medical personnel have been a cornerstone of healthcare in Guyana and other English-speaking Caribbean countries. While nations like Trinidad, Barbados, and St. Vincent have resisted U.S. pressure to deport Cuban doctors, Guyana has remained silent on the matter. This silence has raised questions about the country’s willingness to stand up to U.S. demands, particularly when weighed against the political and economic leverage exerted by the U.S. through its control over Guyana’s oil industry via ExxonMobil.
The GHRA argues that Guyana’s failure to publicly address the issue of Cuban medical personnel and its apparent subservience to U.S. interests may be jeopardizing the country’s sovereignty and regional solidarity. The association points to the Guyanese government’s tendency to prioritize economic relationships with the U.S. over principled political stances, particularly as it relates to the ongoing Venezuela crisis. U.S. support in the face of Venezuela’s territorial ambitions is a critical factor for the Guyanese government, which may feel compelled to toe the line to secure that backing.
The GHRA calls on the Guyanese government to adopt a more transparent and principled foreign policy, one that does not undermine the rights of its citizens and regional allies. In the face of mounting pressure from the U.S. and other foreign powers, the association warns that Guyana must prioritise its own sovereignty and the protection of its people’s rights over political convenience or short-term gains.
The GHRA is urging to Government to create the environment Guyana finds a way to ensure that its politics remain free from external manipulation, both domestically and internationally. The human rights body warned that the alternative is a path of compromise, where the country risks losing its ability to make independent decisions on critical issues that affect the lives of its people.
