Dear Editor,
President Irfaan Ali’s remarks concerning those who travelled to Indigenous communities affected by the MV Barima disaster with hampers and expressions of sympathy are deeply troubling and, quite frankly, beneath the office of the President.
To describe people who are taking assistance to families who have suffered such a devastating tragedy as “wolves” simply because they may have political differences with the government is an unfortunate attempt to turn human suffering into a political battlefield.
Let us be clear: grieving families do not belong to any political party. Their pain does not carry a PPP, opposition, or government label. When Guyanese are hurting, the first responsibility of every leader should be to show compassion—not suspicion. If Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed travelled to these communities to offer assistance, food, hampers or words of comfort, the President should be asking how more assistance can reach those families—not attempting to discredit the person bringing it.
And if the President believes that someone is using a national tragedy for political purposes or to evade legal difficulties, then he should present the facts and evidence to the Guyanese people rather than relying on political insinuations and metaphors about “wolves.”
The families affected by the MV Barima disaster deserve better than this. They deserve answers. They deserve accountability. They deserve meaningful and sustained assistance. Most importantly, they deserve the dignity to grieve without having their tragedy dragged into political warfare.
President Ali should remember that the presidency belongs to the entire nation, not merely to those who support the government. Opposition politicians, civil society organisations, businesses, churches, community groups and ordinary citizens all have a legitimate place in offering assistance to fellow Guyanese in times of crisis. The question Guyanese should be asking is not who brought the hampers, but why are grieving families still in need of them?
Rather than attacking those who show up with assistance, the government should welcome every helping hand and ensure that relief reaches every affected family—regardless of their political affiliation. Guyana needs leadership that brings people together in moments of tragedy, not leadership that uses tragedy to deepen political divisions. Mr. President, these are grieving Guyanese citizens—not political pawns. Their suffering should never become ammunition in a political fight.