Latest update September 15th, 2026 10:20 AM
UNASUR will only mediate in Guyana political stand-off on request from both sides
By Ivan Cairo
PARAMARIBO, Suriname; UNASUR, the Union of South American Nations, will take no initiative to end the political stalemate in Guyana between the government and the opposition which has led to the suspension of the country’s parliament by President Donald Ramotar last November.
According to UNASUR Secretary-General Ernesto Samper, President Ramotar “has used his constitutional rights to suspend the Congress”. “It’s a faculty that he has. It’s part of the rules of the game,” the UNASUR official further noticed.
Samper arrived in Georgetown, Guyana Tuesday for a working visit as part of his tour to all twelve UNASUR member states. The former President of Colombia assumed the office of Secretary General last August.
Asked whether the regional body will intervene in disputes as was the case last year in Venezuela, Samper said that UNASUR will only get involved if both sides of the conflict seek the assistance of the organization in resolving the issues at hand.
During his stopover in Guyana he sought more information from the Guyanese authorities regarding the current political situation.
The Secretary-General added that if “both parties agree” UNASUR is available to facilitate a dialogue as one avenue to seek a resolution for the matter. “If the two parties ask UNASUR to intervene, or to be as a mediator or facilitator of the dialogue, of course we will do it,” said the UNASUR official.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee, says the “meddling” on the part of foreign powers in Guyana’s internal affairs are not justified. Rohee told journalists during a press conference on Monday, that currently, a democratically elected government is in office and therefore political intervention from outside is unwarranted.
Since the prorogation of the parliament several nations, including the United Kingdom, national and international organizations and institutions called for an end to the suspension of the legislature and the holding of Local Government Elections. The last time these elections were held was in 1994.
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