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Guyanese social media firebrand Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City and moved to a Louisiana jail, sending shockwaves through her massive online following. With nearly 150,000 supporters, Atwell has built a reputation for relentless criticism of the Ali administration, and now, many—including Atwell herself—are questioning whether the Guyanese government played a role in her detention.

“Today, I find myself in a fight for my own freedom,” Atwell declared in a defiant Facebook post, framing her arrest as part of a larger battle against corruption and political suppression.

ICE’s online detainee locator system confirms she remains in custody, reportedly awaiting an immigration hearing that could determine whether she is deported. Speculation is rampant about the status of her U.S. visitor’s visa, but the most explosive accusations center on whether her vocal activism made her a target for political retaliation.

The Guyanese government has repeatedly clashed with Atwell, branding her an instigator of cybercrimes and hitting her with a massive GYD $150 million defamation lawsuit in 2024. Attorney General Anil Nandlall even vowed to pursue legal action against her both locally and internationally—a statement that now raises serious questions about what, if any, role the administration may have played in her arrest.

Despite the growing controversy, top Guyanese officials are downplaying the situation. President Irfaan Ali dodged questions, claiming he had “no comment” and only knew what he’d seen on social media. Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed Atwell’s influence entirely, stating, “We don’t obsess over Ms. Atwell.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Atwell previously accused the Guyanese government of targeting her and her family. She recently filed a harassment complaint in New York against government-linked social media figure Mikhail “Guyanese Critic” Rodrigues, after he allegedly doxxed her home address online.

As the legal battle unfolds, one question looms large: Is Melly Mel facing a routine immigration case, or is this a politically motivated takedown?

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