A Cuban national received a three-year prison sentence in Guyana on Monday after confessing to illegal entry into the country, shortly following his arrest. Yosmel Perez Cisneros, aged 39, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, facing charges for arriving in Guyana by sea and disembarking without immigration officer approval, as reported by local media, News Room.
Perez Cisneros admitted to the charges, with Guyanese authorities explaining that the action is part of a broader strategy to tighten control over the illegal influx of migrants. This move comes amid a growing wave of individuals attempting to use Guyana as a transit point to reach other destinations.
Previously, Cubans found staying illegally in Guyana were typically deported; however, Perez Cisneros's case involved illegal entry, warranting his sentence. According to Guyanese police, illegal immigration across the Corentyne River is on the rise.
In a similar case back in 2018, Gilbert López, a 25-year-old Cuban, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, charged with overstaying in the country.
Illegal Entry and Immigration Policies in Guyana
What was Yosmel Perez Cisneros charged with in Guyana?
Yosmel Perez Cisneros was charged with arriving in Guyana by sea and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer.
How has Guyana's approach to illegal immigration changed?
Guyana is adopting stricter measures against illegal immigration, shifting from deportation to imprisonment for illegal entry as part of a strategy to control the flow of migrants using the country as a transit point.
What is the significance of the Corentyne River in this context?
The Corentyne River is a significant route for illegal immigration into Guyana, with increasing numbers of migrants crossing it to enter the country unlawfully.