In light of corruption, President Trump should direct usage of Guyana oil revenues

Jan 09, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to “Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years” (Jan 8) in which the American President plans to control Venezuela oil revenues to end systemic corruption and mismanagement of the economy. Government officials used to steal revenues. Trump said the oil revenues will be used to develop Venezuela and to eradicate poverty.

Editor, it is well known that corruption has been widespread in Guyana. Both the PPP and PNC administrations have been guilty of ingrained, intensive abuse and stealing of the country’s finances. The PPP has been in charge of over US $9 billion, much of it looted. The WIN leader has exposed corruption of several Ministers, enriching themselves off the state coffers. The bulk of the revenues comes from oil. Government officials are becoming increasingly rich while the poor cannot afford basic needs as reported in your ‘Cost of Living’ series.

Poverty in Guyana, as in Venezuela, is also widespread as oil revenues are not reaching the poor and the working class. The poverty rate is almost 50% according to the World Bank. To eradicate corruption and poverty in Guyana, outside intervention similar akin to Venezuela is needed. It is in the interest of Guyanese if President Trump were to intervene and control Guyana’s oil revenues and direct its usage for the development of Guyana instead of it going into the pockets of crooked government officials.

Yours truly,
Nathan Barton

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