Outrage as bus service abandons Amerindians in Rupununi Savannah

Aug 31, 2025 News

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…APA, NTC, political parties decry inhumane treatment

Kaieteur News – One day after a bus attached to Greaves Transportation and Tours abandoned Amerindian passengers, which included women and children, in the Rupununi savannah, Region Nine stakeholders have strongly condemned the actions of the bus driver and the company.

Reports are that the passengers were enroute to a We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political meeting when the driver was contacted by a supporter of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). It is alleged that after the telephone call, the bus driver stopped the vehicle and left the passengers in the middle of the savannahs.

A cell phone recorded video was shared on social media of the passengers standing in the Rupununi savannah as the driver of the bus closed the doors, entered the bus and drove off.

On Saturday, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and WIN condemned the actions of the bus service.

The APA in a statement on Saturday said it “vehemently condemns, in the strongest possible way, the decision by Greaves Transportation and Tours to abandon Indigenous passengers, including women and children, on the roadside in the open Rupununi savannah. Such an act is not only inhumane but it also constitutes a breach of duty of care and a serious violation of the rights and dignity of our peoples.”

The APA stated that no community should ever be treated with such disregard, and certainly not the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, who continue to face marginalisation, discrimination and exclusion.

The Association said that to abandon the passengers in the middle of their journey not only exposed them to danger and humiliation but also showed how the transportation services systems can be weaponised to further dehumanize the Indigenous Peoples.

“We have noted Greaves Transportation and Tours’ attempt to apologise, but that apology falls short of being meaningful. A deliberate choice was made to demand that our peoples disembark from the bus and be left there. The APA also notes the claims that this decision was made under political pressure and panic. This raises grave concerns about the use of intimidation in many instances, not only in the transportation services business, to manipulate essential services to Indigenous communities,” APA noted.

According to APA, Indigenous peoples, like every other Guyanese, are guaranteed the right to support a political party of their choice and that right should be respected. To withhold essential services, like transportation and healthcare, to dissuade the peoples from freely participating in the political process is “a direct violation of the articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which affirms our rights to dignity, security and freedom from discrimination.”

Similarly, the NTC strongly condemned what it deemed to be “the vile and repugnant treatment of our Indigenous brothers, sisters, and children as meted out by seemingly prominent business and business owners. “

“At “NO” point is it acceptable to treat our people in such a manner,” the NTC said in a statement.

“In this politically charged environment, we are repulsed by the environment that has engulfed some political actors, and we call on all of Guyana to unite in condemning divisive behaviour.  Everyone has a constitutional right to association. Such association is cradled in a society of tolerance, respect, and dignity and no person should ever fall victim to such treatment,” the NTC said.

Further, the body called on the Private Sector Commission, the Indigenous Peoples Commission and all other organizations to condemn such behaviour and to resoundingly call for a posture of unity.

“We are not enemies. We may be political opponents, however, that does not give us a right to abdicate our responsibilities to each other as our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. I ask that all our political parties take steps to diffuse any political tensions and to embrace a more united Guyana.  We are the first peoples. We deserve better and demand better treatment of our peoples,” the NTC stated.

Meanwhile, the AFC in a statement said that it is “deeply concerned and appalled” by transportation service’s actions noting that it is “not only an attack on democracy but shows the levels at which this administration will go to victimize Businesses and any Guyanese who dare to oppose them.”

“This is not the ‘One’ Guyana that the President speaks about, but clearly shows the reality of the two Guyanas in which we live – One for the rich and powerful and the other for the poor and marginalized,” AFC said noting that Guyanese deserve to live in a country with dignity and free of fear.

Similarly, WIN said that abandoning the passengers is violation of human rights, dignity, and decency.

“We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) strongly condemns the inhumane and unjustifiable actions of the PPP through one of its known agents, Ameir of Sheriff, in abandoning a group of Indigenous people, including women and children, in the open Rupununi Savannah,” the party said in its statement.

This act, WIN noted, is not only a blatant violation of human rights, but it is more so a breach of contractual duties by the operators who were allegedly manipulated by their political opponents.

“This act is an affront to the values of justice, equality, and respect for Indigenous peoples, who have endured centuries of marginalization, discrimination, and neglect.

Forcibly removing and abandoning individuals, especially our vulnerable women and children, reflects not only a failure of governance but also a total and disturbing disregard for human life,” the party said.

WIN said there needs to be accountability from the political forces that ordered “this shameful act”.

“In addition, we call on all citizens, leaders, and civil society to stand against such cruelty and insist on the protection of every person’s right to be treated with dignity and fairness. This is not just about politics – this is about humanity. Justice must be served,” the party noted.

Greaves Transportation Service issued an apology on Saturday following the wide circulation of the video on social media.

“We want to begin by sincerely apologizing for the incident that took place. As a team and as a family-owned service run by three brothers, we take full responsibility for what happened and understand the public’s concern,” the bus service expressed.

Clarifying what transpired, Greaves Transportation Service stated that this act was not in line with what was agreed upon internally.

“The decision was made under pressure, and the act was done to save the business, and in a moment of panic, made a choice that we deeply regret. This action was not discussed or approved by management, nor does it reflect our values,” the company said.

Further, the bus service said that after its management became aware of the situation, immediate interventions were made for a vehicle to transport the abandoned passengers.

“We understand this doesn’t undo the damage, but it was our effort to correct the mistake as quickly as possible. We are currently reviewing all internal protocols to ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” Greaves Transportation Service stated.

“Again, we are truly sorry for the act itself, for the distress it caused, and for the breach of the principles we claim to uphold. Thank you for holding us accountable,” the bus service said.

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• abandon, Amerindians, APA, bus service, NTC, Outrage, Rupununi Savannah, We Invest in Nationhood

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