So much is going wrong in Guyana

October 25, 2026·3 min read

Dear Editor

Our situation in Guyana demands deep thinking and philosophical introspection, if many of us are not to end up in the psychiatric ward of one of our medical institutions. The first contortion is that we have an administration in charge of just about everything we can think about. The lynchpin of a viable democracy is the separation of the Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary.

Thanks to some folks who do not mind being complicit with what is inappropriate, we seem to be witnessing an executive that, in sometimes not subtle ways, tramples upon and takes over the roles of the two other branches of governance. Examples are numerous.

By way of example; we learnt from officers testifying before the commission of inquiry, into the Barima tragedy^[1], of a number of administrative shortcomings, such as the absence of regular joint training, and outdated operating procedures. Yet, with great alacrity three Transport and Harbours employees have been charged with murder, and efforts to address this injustice have so far proved futile. Even though responsible members of civil society have identified at least five decision makers who, reasonable people would assume, ought to have been charged in the same way that Captain Price and two others have been placed behind bars. On a lighter note, but a serious matter, there was a comedy programme titled; “different strokes, for different folks”. It is clear Guyana has arrived at that place of reckoning.

Another sad situation was revealed a few days ago, where Guyana has declined on the ‘rule of law index’. What makes this situation a national tragedy is that it is happening at a time, when we are receiving unprecedented massive sums from our natural resources.

Today, we are following the footprints of ‘big brother’, by talking about and signing agreements about a pernicious drug trade. Back in the late 80s I recall making a case for massive programmes of music, painting, sculpture and competitions in all forms of sport, that would consume the energies of our young people and so reduce the likelihood of them becoming attracted to harmful drugs. Of course, along with parallel programmes to educate youngsters about the dangers of these drugs which serve to shorten their lifespan and weaken them physically and mentally.

It is amazing how throughout human history leaders in every corner of the globe continue to make steps of sheer stupidity. Why did the Trojans, not recognise a Greek trick when they hauled that suspicious looking large wooden horse within their city, breaching the fortress which had kept them safe for generations? Why did Samson reveal his secret to Delilah? Why did the Americans get involved in Vietnam? And this week in France, the leaders seem not to appreciate the anger caused by a rising cost of living.

All of the above relate to today’s Guyana in different ways. Why are we persecuting the leader of the opposition, making him into a modern day ‘folk hero’. Silly steps of sheer stupidity. Never before has a government had access to this super abundance of money, yet we are plagued with ‘black-outs’ and dirty water in some areas.

The latest charade, the recent joke is this talk about ‘consensus’ politics. Earlier, it was customary to hear, after lengthy debate and discussion, that the person who controls the purse strings, and the levers of authority was the person who found and determined what was the consensus. I say to WIN, PNC, and others; beware, be wary of Messrs Tricky and Tranny. I do not know what literature is popular these days, but as an old Shakespeare fan, I pause with this bit from Hamlet, made popular by Thomas Carlyle, “we are creatures that look before and after; the more surprising that we do not look around a little, and see what is passing under our very eyes.”

Yours sincerely
Elder Hamilton Green

References

Single-engine helicopters hampered initial MV Barima search — GDF officers tell COI - News Room Guyana — newsroom.gy ↩

Single-engine helicopters hampered initial MV Barima search — GDF officers tell COI - News Room Guyana

newsroom.gy · 2026-10-15

Single-engine helicopters hampered initial MV Barima search — GDF officers tell COI - News Room Guyana # Single-engine helicopters hampered initial MV Barima search — GDF officers tell COI October 15, 2026 Lieutenant Colonel Anson Weekes (right) and Captain Andio Crawford Limitations of single-engine helicopters used in search and rescue operations prevented Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers from entering the designated search area during the initial search for survivors of the MV Barima tragedy, while darkness hampered visibility. Lieutenant Colonel Anson Weekes and Captain Andio Crawford testified about the reconnaissance operations conducted on July 19, 2026, following reports of a possible vessel in distress off the coastland. Weekes said he received a call shortly after midnight and proceeded to Eugene F. Correia Airport at Ogle to prepare a Bell helicopter for night flying. He departed with a team at approximately 01:45 hrs for Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast, receiving the search coordinates while en route. The designated area was approximately 8.5 to nine miles offshore, near Somerset. However, Weekes said he could not fly over the coordinates because of restrictions on offshore operations involving the single-engine helicopter. “I was instructed by my commanding officer to conduct an aerial search for survivors,” he told the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the tragedy. The team conducted reconnaissance as far as the mouth of the Pomeroon River but saw nothing, even with the helicopter’s lights. Crawford, who also responded to the distress report, confirmed that the aircraft’s limitations prevented the team from entering the search area. “Based on the limitations of the aircraft, we were unable to enter into the search area,” he testified, adding that it was pitch black and nothing could be seen, even with the helicopter’s lights. Weekes said he later coordinated further search efforts involving an Omni helicopter and an aircraft from the Regional Security System (RSS) based in Barbados. Both operations reportedly yielded no sightings of survivors. Coastal reconnaissance continued into August. Crawford said that during those operations, the team observed life jackets and an empty life raft. “We saw one empty life raft along the shoreline,” he testified. Meanwhile, Weekes said he conducted approximately 10 coastal surveillance flights between July 20 and August 2, during which he discovered one deceased person on July 20. Both officers were questioned by the Commission, accompanied by GDF counsel Melissa Yearwood-Stewart. Chaired by Justice Godfrey Smith, the five-member Commission is examining the ferry’s seaworthiness and maintenance, loading and passenger boarding, crew competence and the adequacy of search, rescue and recovery operations. It will also determine whether failures to follow applicable laws and procedures, negligence, misconduct or dereliction of duty contributed to the disaster. More than 100 witnesses are expected to give evidence. The Commission’s initial two-month timeline has been extended to six months.

Source

So much is going wrong in Guyana in Kiskadee Watch, October 25, 2026

So much is going wrong in Guyana — Hamilton Green — Opinion