Will ABCE Countries act against Putin-style oligarchy in Guyana?

Mar 12, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to your news reports on the Ukraine war. The ABCE countries (America, Britain, Canada, Europe) have imposed sanctions on oligarchs of Russia in order to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. Will the ABCE countries do same to end endemic corruption in (and that has been destroying) Guyana?

Since Putin took over power in Russia following the collapse of communism, the international media has been reporting that the autocratic ruler and a handful of associates have taken over control of most of the resources and economy. A few have become filthy rich, multi-billionaires in American dollar term; Putin’s name is also among the list. Much of the oligarch’s money has been kept in the west, and some of their enormous assets have been frozen to put pressure on the Kremlin to end the Ukraine war.
A similar situation has developed in Guyana since the collapse of communism and the deaths of the two Jagan’s. A Putin like scenario has emerged post Jagan in which the working class is oppressed to create wealth for a few very corrupt individuals. Guyana has been a sham democracy under succeeding governments in which the people don’t exercise influence. An autocracy has emerged and an oligarchy has been established in Guyana. In succeeding governments, an autocratic ruler determines who gets what title and when. Even paper qualifications are manufactured to embellish one’s background and credentials to seek elective office. Since the change in administration in August 2021, wagons have circled the power structure. Critics are muzzled as reported in the media last week and that is also the subject of editorials in KN and SN. The supporters are fooled with crumbs like grants while the oligarchs increase ownership of assets.

The Putin-like framework, including the Medvedev precedent, has been put to effective use. The surrogate power system is not dissimilar to the Medvedev precedent – a person selected as the front but controlled by the power behind the throne. An autocratic leader and his associates have managed to acquire control of the bulk of the country’s resources and the economy. They decide who gets licences, land, contracts and jobs just like in Russia – remember the fishing licence scandal, land scandal in Amerindian areas, firing of Dr. Jadoopat, Enmore Packaging plant, Guysuco scandals, pump scandals, flooding scandal, and so many more. Deals are cut with investors including with the oil barons. In spite of repeated calls, there has not been any investigation of Exxon agreement and other oil contracts or an audit of Exxon oil expenses.

The Exxon contract is described as the most lopsided contract ever executed since the days of slavery or in the history of the world. The nation is taken to the cleaners. And we read that Exxon will join the PPP government in a lawsuit filed by Kaieteur News owner, Glenn Lall challenging tax concessions granted by the preceding APNU led administration. It is amazing that the government is teaming up with Exxon to defend the tax concessions worth billions in American dollars that Guyana has lost.

The oligarch is surrounded by willing local and foreign contractors, some from China and Trinidad. They have been given lucrative contracts and state concessions to establish and operate companies once they pay the right fees. Local Guyanese contractors are bypassed, neglected, marginalized; they can’t afford the big fees. The oligarchs enjoy privileged circumstances to the disadvantaged of others who are not loyal. Before long, the entire country’s wealth will be totally in the hands of a few. This is not different from what obtained under Putin style governance. Guyanese can expect to suffer the same fate as the Russian people since the collapse of communism.
Will America and the other western democracies that saved democracy in Guyana in 2020 just sit back and allow an oligarchy to expand its control and power? The Guyanese people need real democracy not just electoral democracy in which they vote and are then ignored. The people want an end to corruption. It is time to act against the Guyanese oligarchs. Freezing their corruptly acquired assets that are in Miami and other parts of America as well as those kept in other western countries and also in the Middle East will send a strong message against corruption.
Yours truly,
Fazal Ismail