Dear Editor,
ACCORDING the Guyana Citizenship Act (Chapter 14:01, Second Schedule, Paragraph 1): “The qualifications for naturalisation of an alien who applies therefor are that he resided in Guyana throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application; that during the seven years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months he has resided in Guyana for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years; that he is of good character; and that he intends in the event of a certificate being granted to him to reside in Guyana.”

In Paragraph 2, the same Guyana Citizenship Act states: “The minister may, if in the special circumstances of any particular case he thinks fit (…) allow such shorter periods of residence as he may determine to be reckoned in lieu of the periods mentioned in Paragraph 1 (a) and (b).”

Elections in Guyana are around the corner. Each party has the right to do everything in order to win voters, as long as those actions are not illegal or harm someone. Information provided by https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/ (Surge in Cubans and Haitians trafficking through Guyana) shows that a total of 17,615 Cubans appear to have not left Guyana in the period 2013-April 2018. Most of these Cubans are doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, engineers, technicians, et cetera. Most of them hold a BA certificate or a Diploma. They are professionals who are escaping from the tight economic situation in their country.

Why not grant Guyana citizenship to those good Cubans who do so much for this wonderful land of many waters?
Regards,
Pablo Diaz
Diamond, East Bank Demerara