CARICOM Leaders Prioritize Crime as Guyana Moves to Strengthen Border Security through Advanced Passenger Legislation
By Tano | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – Heads of government across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have formally identified crime and security as one of the region’s most pressing challenges. In response, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall this week outlined legislative efforts to enhance border security through improved data collection and analysis of travelers entering, exiting, or transiting Guyana.
The new Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) legislation, now tabled in the National Assembly, aims to improve law enforcement capabilities in identifying and intercepting individuals linked to terrorism, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime.
“It is necessary for countries within CARICOM to have stringent border security laws to prevent exploitation by criminal elements and terrorists,” Minister Nandlall emphasized.
The bill mandates the collection, sharing, storage, and regulation of advanced passenger information (API) and passenger name records (PNR) from airlines, cruise ships, and other transport services.
- API includes passport and travel details transmitted prior to a passenger’s arrival or departure.
- PNR includes personal data collected by carriers, such as names, addresses, and travel itineraries.
Together, these systems allow immigration, customs, and national security agencies to flag persons of interest before they reach Guyanese borders.
“This information enables authorities to detect suspicious movements and prevent criminal acts before they occur,” Nandlall stated.
The bill received bipartisan backing. Opposition Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan welcomed the legislation and praised its inbuilt privacy protections.
“It is fundamental that the destination country knows who is arriving—whether by boat, cruise ship, or airplane,” Ramjattan said. “Crime and national security require collaboration at local, regional, and international levels.”
The legislation aligns Guyana’s laws with CARICOM’s Regional Crime and Security Strategy and supports broader efforts to digitize border management systems throughout the Caribbean.
As passenger traffic through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and other ports increases, authorities believe this initiative will play a key role in protecting national sovereignty and enhancing intelligence-led policing.
