Over 50 Venezuelan Migrant Families Occupy Amerindian Hostel in Kumaka, Region 1
By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
The hostel built for Indigenous Guyanese is now overcrowded and deteriorating
Kumaka, Region One – [Insert Date of Publication]
More than 50 Venezuelan migrant families have taken up residence at the Amerindian Hostel in Kumaka, Region 1 — a facility constructed initially to accommodate Indigenous Guyanese from remote villages. Now, the hostel is in a state of disrepair, overcrowded, and operating with no official government oversight or records of the families occupying the space.
The migrants — many fleeing economic hardship and political turmoil in neighboring Venezuela — have reportedly lived at the facility for up to three years, with some residents telling HGPTV Nightly News they are struggling to survive without support.
“Most people here work to get money and buy food. If you don’t work, you have nothing,” one resident, who identified herself only as Beli, said.
Unsafe, Unsanitary, and Unregulated
HGPTV reporters visiting the hostel observed unsafe living conditions. Parts of the interior have deteriorated significantly. Families have erected makeshift shelters at the eastern end of the compound, near swampy terrain, in a desperate bid for space.
Most concerning is the only access bridge — a roughly 300-meter wooden path now described by locals as a “death trap.” While migrants have reportedly attempted to repair portions of the bridge, much of it remains hazardous and impassable for safe travel.
Law Enforcement Concerned but Powerless
Reliable law enforcement sources told HGPTV that although no confirmed sightings of Venezuelan military or intelligence personnel have been reported, concerns remain due to the steady influx of unvetted individuals into the area. Authorities say that new faces frequently appear at the hostel.
Police conduct routine checks at the facility but have limited jurisdiction when it comes to detaining or deporting undocumented migrants, given the lack of immigration enforcement protocols in the region.
Originally Built for Indigenous Citizens
The Amerindian Hostel at Kumaka was built to support Indigenous Guyanese traveling to Mabaruma for healthcare, education, and official business. Today, the structure is no longer serving its intended purpose.
“The reality is, this hostel was built for our Indigenous people. But now, it is fully occupied by migrants — with no clear plan from the government,” said one local observer.
Residents and regional authorities are now calling on the central government to intervene, offering clarity, assistance, and action before the situation escalates into a health or security crisis.
HGPTV will continue monitoring developments at the Kumaka Amerindian Hostel and the broader humanitarian situation in Region 1.
