Dear Editor,
Marco De Souza, a veteran member of the People’s Progressive Party, political activist, former Member of Parliament, Toshao, Justice of Peace and popular musician, was laid to rest on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. President Dr Irfan Ali and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, along with other prominent citizens, offered glowing farewell speeches at his funeral.
Marco De Souza died at the age of 74 years. He was indeed a longstanding activist of the PPP, and he belongs to a strong PPP family – the De Souza family. The De Souza family hail from Sants Rosa, Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini). After a brief period of sickness, he died peacefully.
President Dr Irfan Ali joined relatives, Government Officials, representatives of the PPP and many others at the funeral service held at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Georgetown, and offered glowing tributes. President Ali recognised his struggle, sacrifices in the fight for democracy, and his service to the people of the region, as it will remain an enduring part of his legacy.
General Secretary of the PPP, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, at a highly emotional gathering of party activists at the party’s headquarters, Freedom House, Georgetown, described Marco as an outstanding activist and a comrade who struggled for democracy and a better Guyana. The general secretary of the PPP recognised Marco’s decades of struggle in our country.
Minister of Housing Collin Croal, who is the Government Parliamentary Representative for Region One, joined hundreds of supporters/mourners at Santa Rosa, Moruca, to pay their respects to comrade Marco De Souza. The Minister lauded the political conviction, personal sacrifice, and his unwavering commitment to the struggle for democracy and the advancement of the people of Guyana. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek, along with Regional Chairman Mr Brenton Ashley, also paid tribute to Marco.
Marco was a victim of dirty and nasty political harassment. He was locked up several times and never convicted. His strong familial commitment to the PPP was and will remain in the family legacy. Today, Marco is no longer with us in person, but his memories live on.