I am amused by the recent developments regarding the issue of Guyanese being deported from specifically Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. Guyana is busy welcoming Trinidad investors in the agricultural sector in the true spirit of CARICOM brotherhood, and pursuing an enlightened path of inter-Caricom immigration policy; Trinidad and Barbados are refining tools of expulsion directed at Guyanese who have made sterling contributions to their development over the years.

But this is to be expected. The mentality of a people and their nations is fashioned by their geographical circumstance. What else do we expect from people living on specks of dust floating in the Caribbean Sea, or rather on pieces of rocks tenuously anchored therein? Their insular mentality is consistent with their geographical circumstance and must be factored into our interactions with them.

Guyana sits on the large continent of South America and faithfully in accordance with our geographic circumstance, Guyanese evince a wide breadth of tolerance, hospitality and acceptance of others – sharply contrasting with narrow, insular concerns and interests.

I had hoped that making these “islands” part of a bigger bloc – CARICOM – would have widened their horizons and elevated their mentality. These recent developments relative to inter-Caricom immigration issues show that we still have a lot of work to do.

Wilbert M. STEPHENSON