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Corruption has plagued Guyana for years
Dear Editor,
Kaieteur News – Over the years I have expressed my views on either an upcoming or previously concluded election. I kindly ask that you permit me space to express my views on the upcoming elections in Guyana slated for September 1, 2025.
There are many things to consider, included but not limited to,
– The party in power attempts to retain power by any means necessary.
– The rise of new parties, signaling the public’s belief in their potential to outperform the traditional opposition.
– The apparent normalization of corruption as a tool of power.
The party in power is exercising vote buying while the multiple opposing parties are promising similar measures. My donation to these parties – vote buying does not work. Back in 2011, Valerie Lowe (RIP) campaigned her heart out to secure a groundbreaking minority government. Meanwhile, that same cycle, the vote buying (without the funds from oil revenue) was evident. People are not stupid, respect is earned – not bought. Outside of vote buying, laws which I personally have never heard of are being brought to use, restricting access to our Dear Land of Guyana. This is new and very dangerous.
The largest list of parties I recall was 10 but I think the list this cycle is more than just a large list. I think the list represents a failure, whether in the opportunity lost in 2015 or whether there is simply a lack of an alternative. Every election cycle, parties surface. The main ones compete for ultimate power, gained and nothing can be done otherwise by the others. For the next four years, the press is then labeled the opposition. The press does not become the opposition, it is labeled as such in the lack thereof. In this election cycle, the large list of opposing parties is not a representation that they can do better than the ruling party, it is that they can be a better alternative; not only to the ruling party, but moreso, the main opposition.
Corruption has plagued Guyana for years whether it is from government contracts to bar-b-que tickets. There is no “good” corruption – there is only corruption. We have seen in this cycle one new party leader expose intent to perform corruption while making large promises. As I said before, people are not stupid – respect, and in this case, trust is earned; it is not bought.
I shake my head in despair; where does this leave us as a nation? Today – July 10th, 2025 is World Capybara (in Guyana aka Labba) day. There are many images and videos online of the capybara and crocodile coexisting to the point the capybara hitches a ride on the back of the crocodile. Are any of these real? I do not know. I have never seen it happen. However, the thought lends a positive outlook as we head into the elections. That is, being friendly and kind will overcome the harshest of aggression. Who is the capybara and who is the crocodile? That is not the question. Instead, the question starts with the person in the mirror – who am I, the capybara or the crocodile?
Best Regards,
Surendra Dhanpaul
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