Guyana’s National Assembly has passed the Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (APIPNR) Bill, establishing a centralised database to facilitate the exchange of passenger and cargo information among CARICOM member states. The legislation, approved on Friday, is expected to significantly enhance regional security and combat transnational organised crime.
The APIPNR Bill, developed by CARICOM’s legislative committee, outlines the framework for collecting, transmitting, sharing, and storing advanced passenger information (API) and passenger name records (PNR) for individuals travelling to, from, or transiting through Guyana. The bill also activates the CARICOM Advance Passenger Crew Information System.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said the move was crucial to addressing crime—one of the region’s most pressing challenges—and aligns with CARICOM leaders’ commitment to prioritise public safety and border security.
“It is therefore necessary that our countries in CARICOM have stringent border security laws which can prevent our countries from being exploited by terrorists and our criminal enemies,” Nandlall told the assembly.
He described the legislation as a key tool in the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism, and other forms of serious transnational crime. The API system, he explained, helps authorities identify persons of interest before arrival or departure, while the PNR provides additional data collected by airlines or vessel operators, enabling law enforcement to better analyse and detect criminal activity.
Importantly, Nandlall assured that the legislation includes strong safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the information collected. He also noted that infrastructure is already being developed to support the Data Protection Act passed earlier this year.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, supported the bill, highlighting that it brings Guyana in line with international best practices and imposes no undue burden on carriers. He said the legislation will streamline airport operations, improve efficiency for airlines, and bolster Guyana’s reputation as a secure travel hub.
“This bill fits neatly with our international conventions,” Indar noted. “It allows relevant authorities to screen passengers before they arrive, identify security threats early, and prevent unlawful acts targeting civil aviation.”
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, also voiced his approval, emphasising that the bill upholds the privacy and integrity of collected data.
Opposition MP Khemraj Ramjattan endorsed the legislation, commending its alignment with global privacy and security standards. “I want to commend the fact that we have a bill that supports all the conventions that we are obliged to attend to,” Ramjattan said.
The bill replaces an outdated regional framework with a more modern and coordinated approach, as CARICOM continues efforts to tighten security cooperation across member states.
 Bill on Friday.){kind=link}