If ‘Melly Mel’ has to return to Guyana, “we will welcome her back” – Jagdeo

Controversial social media commentator Melissa Ann Atwell, popularly known as “Melly Mel,” has been detained in the United States.

She is said to be in a detention facility in Louisiana. Reports are that ranks from the Department of Homeland Security went to her apartment in Brooklyn, New York early on Thursday morning and detained her. She has been taken to one of the department’s offices for questioning.

She was reportedly subsequently handed over to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) where she was placed in the detention facility.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, when questioned about these developments at his weekly press conference on Thursday, has said he had no official information on the matter, and that no government agency in Guyana had been formally notified.

Addressing the issue, Jagdeo said, “In terms of Melissa Atwell, I don’t know if any government agency has been notified. It wouldn’t come to me. If that has happened, it will go to the law enforcement agencies.”

Dismissing allegations that the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had played any role in Atwell’s situation, the Vice President has said “somehow, you know, the PPP is to be blamed for this. So, we have made it known where we stand on this matter. But we don’t every day obsess over Miss Atwell.”

Further, Jagdeo remarked that Atwell is among many social media figures with controversial viewpoints, and that the government does not focus on individuals like her. He compared her to other social media commentators by saying, “there are many others far more extreme than her…and we don’t obsess about them. They have not made an iota of difference. And the fact is that people are moving away from this form of extremism.”

Asked about Atwell’s legal status in the United States, Jagdeo said he is unsure whether she is a permanent resident or a citizen, but he expressed indifference towards her situation.

“Really, at this stage, it doesn’t make one difference to me. One way or another, whether she’s over there or over here…if she has to come back, we will welcome her back.”

Atwell is currently facing multiple lawsuits in Guyana, further adding to her legal troubles.