Guyanese government officials are engaged in advanced discussions with the United States government regarding an agreement that could permit Guyana to accept third-country deportees and refugees from the U.S., according to reports from News Source and CBS News. The negotiations involve individuals processed for deportation who would be sent to a country other than their home nation.
Ongoing Negotiations and Election Pause
According to senior Guyana government officials cited by News Source, discussions between Washington and Georgetown have persisted for months. The talks experienced a temporary pause in August ahead of Guyana’s national elections, following a mutual understanding that negotiations would resume after the vote concluded. With the elections finished, both administrations are actively hammering out terms for a formal pact that could be finalized within the coming weeks, as reported by News Source.
Terms of the Proposed Agreement
Under the framework currently under discussion, Guyana retains the authority to refuse any individual or group of individuals selected by the U.S. for deportation, according to sources speaking with News Source. Furthermore, the Guyanese government has stated a preference for skilled individuals who lack criminal backgrounds. The United States government is expected to cover all financial costs associated with relocating individuals who are either deported or whose refugee claims were denied in the U.S. and who decline to return to their countries of origin, as confirmed by News Source.
Regional Context and Prior Statements
The current talks follow earlier reports from CBS News in February 2025 indicating that Guyana was among several nations discussing third-country migration policies with Washington. The broader Caribbean region is also seeing shifts in migration agreements; late last week, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica announced they had successfully reached separate agreements with the U.S. to accept third-country deportees, according to News Source.