Artiste and activist Odessa Primus has firmly denied rumours that her United States (U.S) visa was revoked, telling Village Voice News that she opted for the cancellation of her visa, after being denied entry into the U.S last week. Upon arriving at JFK Airport in New York, she was informed that she would be denied entry to the U.S. Immigration officials offered her the option to voluntarily withdraw her application for entry, which would result in the cancellation of her visa.
Primus said she accepted the option, and her U.S. visa was marked with the notation: “CANCELLED – NYC APPLICATION WITHDRAWN.” She also stated that during her questioning, U.S. agents asked about the embattled Mohameds– Azruddin and Nazar “Shell” Mohamed-, several government officials, and various political activists.
Her decision, she said, was a proactive move based on credible information that the Government of Guyana was allegedly collaborating with a U.S. based lobbyist to target her—similar to the campaign waged against fellow activist Melissa “Melly Mel” Atwell.
Atwell, a vocal critic of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, was recently detained in the U.S. under circumstances supporters describe as politically motivated. She is scheduled to return to court on June 25, 2025. Though the charges remain unclear, many believe PPP-aligned lobbyists played a behind-the-scenes role in orchestrating her brief detention and broader efforts to discredit her.
Following her release, Atwell remained defiant. “The Guyana government may try to silence me, but they cannot silence all of us,” she declared. “We will not back down or be intimidated. The truth will always rise, no matter how hard they try to suppress it.”
Her words have resonated widely, particularly among Guyanese in the diaspora who see a growing pattern of state intimidation targeting dissenting voices.
In a similarly defiant tone, Primus dismissed what she called “PPP propaganda” about her denial of entry to the USA and vowed to continue her advocacy. “I am absolutely in no way affected by their propaganda. They have their work, and I have mine—which is to help restore democracy, decency, and justice in this country, so we can be proud to call ourselves Guyanese.”
She cited the unresolved case of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge’s suspicious death as a tragic example of state dysfunction. The Younge family has accused the government of obstructing justice by denying their request to bring in an independent forensic pathologist. Instead, the state has proposed Leonard McCoshen, a retired officer from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, whose appointment the family has firmly rejected.
Speaking to Stabroek News, Adrianna’s aunt, Amika Lewis, questioned McCoshen’s credibility due to his retired status and lack of institutional accountability. The family is now reportedly considering hiring its own independent investigators.
Primus condemned what she views as President Irfaan Ali’s performative rhetoric, especially his public pledge to leave “no stone unturned” in Adrianna’s case while simultaneously blocking the family’s choice of pathologist. “It’s like being in an abusive relationship,” Primus said. “He says he loves the country, but he beats you, treats you badly, and then tells you he loves you. That’s not love. That’s abuse.”
Calling for greater accountability, Primus urged Guyanese not to forget Adrianna, the children who died from dengue, and other young lives lost or endangered due to what she sees as governmental neglect and systemic failure. As a parent, she said, the lack of safety, credible information, and responsible leadership leaves her deeply unsettled.
“President Ali should declare a state of emergency,” she said. “Because time and again, he has proven he cannot manage the state.”