Business with Colombia comes with risks — Jamil Changlee — Opinion

Business with Colombia comes with risks

October 10, 2026·2 min read

Dear Editor,

The recent announcement that the Ministry under embattled Minister Edghill’s responsibility is considering working with the Guyana-Colombian Chamber of Commerce to potentially carry out a number of key infrastructural projects^[1] raises significant concerns. Colombia has a long and entangled history with the illegal narcotic trade and given the current money laundering concerns facing Guyana, and the need for strengthening our safeguards against associated financial risks, it would be wise to give preference to other highly capable and reputable countries for the project portfolio under consideration. It is estimated that approximately $11 Billion USD annually is laundered through Colombia and this risk was referred to as “a significant threat to economic stability and the integrity of the financial system”^[2]. (Reference: Sentinel). The Chamber may have already put in place the necessary safeguards to avoid Guyana’s entanglement in money laundering, but as we say in our country, “better safe than sorry”.

Our government should make the U.S., UK, China, Japan and the EU our preferred group of Tier 1 partners for any major projects being undertaken in the country and only consider high risk countries such as Colombia once the opportunities available to the Tier 1 group have been fully exhausted. CRG recommends using this approach to safeguard against money laundering and for leveraging the Tier 1 group’s strong systems for added financial protections. In addition, their experience and expertise in project execution makes them an easy choice for major projects, which avoids future controversy and unnecessary risk to our nation’s financial system.

Given the apparent mismanagement involving the Minister in the MV Barima tragedy that has led to the largest tragedy ever faced by our nation^[3], CRG is not surprised that the Minister would seriously consider bypassing better partnerships and entertain entangling our nation’s development with a high risk country like Colombia, which has been on the radar of the U.S. for illegal drug trafficking. The Ministry’s project portfolio should have already been assigned to companies within the Tier 1 group of preferred countries, and Colombia’s Chamber of Commerce should have been politely told thank you for your interest and enthusiasm to participate in our development, but at this moment we are focused on strengthening our partnerships with our top tier partners for our current development needs.

Best regards,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

References

Chinese Money Laundering Networks Fuel Financial Expansion of Organized Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean - Diálogo Américas

dialogo-americas.com · 2026-08-10

In Colombia, authorities arrested Haibo Zhang, alias “Chokan,” in late May. He is accused of leading a transnational money laundering network. According to the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) of Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, the organization operated between Bogotá and Valle del Cauca, moving cash and cryptoassets through connections in China, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and the United States, while maintaining possible links to dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). ... A recent investigation by The Washington Post reported that the World Hongmen History and Culture Association, linked to Wan Kuok Koi, has served as a platform for cultural influence and the promotion of initiatives associated with the Belt and Road Initiative. The report further argues that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tolerated the activities of overseas criminal networks so long as they do not threaten domestic stability. ... The result is an increasingly visible convergence of organized crime, illicit finance, and geopolitical competition. “This system has directly benefited the Chinese state because the flow of black-market money strengthens its economic interests and weakens its competitors,” Rotella added. ... Former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla has warned that financial intelligence has become an essential component of modern security. “A component without which organized crime cannot be defeated today is financial intelligence,” she told Diálogo. ... environment, governments must strengthen their capacity to analyze financial ... , improve interagency ... , and integrate cyber intelligence tools ... More than incremental adjustments, the challenge requires a structural transformation in how states ... “We are facing a new security landscape in the region, where ordinary crime is no longer the dominant threat. Today we confront organizations operating on a transnational scale, and just as they operate without borders, the response must do the same,” Chinchilla said, emphasizing that international cooperation will be essential to counter the continued expansion of these criminal networks.

Source

Business with Colombia comes with risks in Kiskadee Watch, October 10, 2026

dpi.gov.gy · 2026-07-27

Statement to the National Assembly by the Honourable Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on the chronological account of the Government’s response following the MV Barima tragedy – Department of Public Information, Guyana # Statement to the National Assembly by the Honourable Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on the chronological account of the Government’s response following the MV Barima tragedy ... I rise to place before the National Assembly an account concerning the tragedy involving the MV Barima, the search, rescue and recovery operations that followed, and the support provided to the affected families. ... A total of 77 persons were rescued and one of the persons rescued subsequently died. ... On 2 ... th July ... 026, The ... Barima was found resting on the seabed approximately ... tower. This was ... Haresh Singh and ... fisherfolk, ExxonMobil Guyana, VESHI and Sealand ... s Gilligan Island in ... the vessel’s exact position. The Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force subsequently established joint protocols for the processing, transportation and storage of the deceased. Identification procedures were to take place at the Suddie Hospital. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remained operational, and the search and recovery effort continued. ... State and private sector vessels continued operating throughout the expanded search area, supported by aerial surveillance. Aircraft also transported relatives to the Suddie Hospital to assist with identification. The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and his team remained at the hospital and began facilitating the release of identified bodies to their relatives. ... Mr Speaker, in the final operational update issued on 24 July, the Government advised that the coordinated search and recovery operation remained active throughout the day. The designated search area had been expanded by an additional 32 square miles, westwards to Waini Point and eastwards to Adventure, while aerial surveillance flights continued. Five dives, each lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, were completed on 24 July. During one of those dives, one body was recovered from within the MV Barima. This brought the cumulative number of bodies recovered to 73, of whom 69 had been positively identified. Mr Speaker, this tragedy has caused immeasurable grief across our country. The Government extends its deepest condolences to every family that has lost a loved one and remains committed to supporting those affected. The Government also records its gratitude to the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration Department, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Health, regional authorities, local fisherfolk, private vessel operators, aviation personnel, divers, medical teams and all other stakeholders who contributed to the response. We are equally grateful for the assistance provided by France, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remained fully operational throughout the period from Saturday 2026/07/19 to now, and the search, rescue and recovery effort continued with the commitment that every reasonable effort would be exhausted.