The $224 Million Question—Who Really Benefits from Our Lobbying Bill?

Feb 13, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

The recent confirmation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that taxpayers footed a $224.6 million GYD annual bill for US lobbying firms—specifically Continental Strategy and DR Consultancy—demands a level of scrutiny that goes beyond mere budgetary accounting. While the official narrative frames this as a necessary shield against Venezuelan aggression and a tool for national security, a closer look at the geopolitical reality of 2026 suggests we are paying for a luxury political service rather than a national necessity.

The argument for “security lobbying” has effectively been rendered moot by the current status quo. With the Maduro regime dismantled and the US military already acting as the primary guardian of the offshore oil interests that power their own economy, one must ask: why is Guyana paying for protection that the US provides for free to safeguard its own energy security? Furthermore, with the political shift in Caracas toward a more US-aligned posture, the “imminent threat” narrative feels increasingly like a ghost story used to justify an eye-watering transfer of wealth from the Guyanese treasury to K-Street in Washington.

The real “value” of these firms appears to lie not in the defense of our borders, but in the sophisticated containment of domestic interests. By retaining Continental Strategy—a firm with a direct line to the White House through senior partner Katie Wiles—the government isn’t just buying “advice.” They are buying the ability to frame local narratives at the highest levels of American power. This is particularly evident in the aggressive framing of the Mohamed family as regional security threats. Whether or not one agrees with the legal actions taken against them, it is clear that taxpayer money is being used to fuel a specific narrative designed to expedite foreign legal interventions, essentially turning our national budget into a weapon for political and commercial elimination.

When we weigh this $224 million expenditure against the “tangible benefits” for the average citizen, the math simply does not add up. Despite this fortune being spent on “image” and “access,” the fundamental status quo for the Guyanese person remains unchanged:

Security Redundancy: We are paying millions to lobby a US administration that is already militarily committed to protecting the very oil blocks that define our regional importance.
Access vs. Action: While the government enjoys a direct line to the Oval Office, the average citizen still faces the same systemic issues—from infrastructure gaps to the rising cost of living—that no Washington lobbyist can fix.
The Transparency Gap: DR Consultancy, at over $8 million a month, provides “crisis management” that seems to benefit the ruling elite’s reputation more than it does the nation’s standing.
Political Insurance: The expenditure serves as a “political luxury tax,” ensuring the current administration is viewed as the only viable partner for the US, effectively silencing domestic opposition through high-level international gatekeeping.

Is this money well spent? If the goal is to protect the interests of a select few and ensure that the US Department of Justice stays focused on the government’s local rivals, then it is a masterclass in political maneuvering. But if the goal is to improve the lives of the Guyanese people, it is a staggering waste of resources. We are effectively paying a fortune to ensure that our domestic battles are fought in the hallways of Washington D.C., while the average Guyanese is left to wonder when they will see a “return on investment” that actually reaches their own pocket.

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