Excellency Nicole D. Theriot’s interjection, injection

Feb 22, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – I term it a team effort, 100% proof.  Strong Cajun bourbon (or moonshine) to settle the spirit.  US Ambassador, Excellency Nicole D. Theriot appointed herself emcee, did the honors.  The US is 100% committed to get the Mohameds stop-and-start extradition business now chugging laboriously along, to be over and done.  Her Excellency said soon.  With respect, I think that the Honorable US Ambassador in Guyana interjected herself a smidgen too far in Guyana’s business.  The ole PPP would have hollered “internal meddling”.  The newly converted PPP is now on the side of angels.  Oil is the greatest lubricant, the best of nectars.  The PPP’s cup overfloweth with US generosity.

A timely helping hand from Ambassador Theriot.  From oilman and NFL man John Hess to Excellency Theriot.  There seems to be some fascination with how Guyana’s storied judiciary works.  Oilmen are about crude.  A US plenipotentiary isn’t; or shouldn’t be.  Guyanese pros are squabbling about paper committal.  Her Excellency intervened with US commitment.  Ah, the odds multiply in the Mohameds extradition matter.  For or against, will be decided, surface in due time.  The US must really want its men badly.  For diplomatic tactfulness and circumspection to go on a holiday.  For the silence and restraint that have become the hallmarks of Ambassador Theriot’s tour in Guyana to be shed so openly, tell their own story.  None of the swagger and style of Excellency Sarah Ann Lynch is Excellency Theriot.  But there she was stepping away from her own set standards, and stepping into the ongoing, engaging Mohameds extradition saga.  It is the reassurance of total commitment, with 100% interest, energy, engagement, and support.  The ambassadorial guarantee of ‘no retreat.’  If she said so, it is so.  Perhaps, it was to lend a few rods of steel to boost Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman’s resolve, help her see the straight way.  No retreat and 100% commitment mean that there should be only one resolution to the extradition matter.

I repeat: the Americans must genuinely want with a passion the two Guyanese in handcuffs, in bed, in the unforgiving glare of the spotlight.  They want to know what is in the heads of both Mohameds.  If I were the PPP, I’d be careful.  Recall what the son said in open forum of parliament of all places.  Not in some woebegone, remote village nook, or some disreputable street corner (tavern), but in parliament under the bright lights and the eyes of cameras.  “I bankrolled the PPP.”  A bankroller is a boss of gigantic proportions; a feared, but cherished godfather.  I think the Americans want to know the total given.  Pointedly, from where did the millions originate, then lavishly donated to the PPP?  How much that made possible.  Here’s a question all Guyanese must chew on: how many millions were involved in the December 2018 parliamentary no confidence motion?  Who collected, who carried out their parts of a dirty job.  Now sinister silence surrounds.  PPP government leaders and agents, normally so responsive and aggressive re any negative, trouble with laryngitis.

Now, if by whatever chance there was, the monies the PPP collected came from ruff neighborhoods, what does that make the democratic, capitalistic, altruistic PPP Govt?  A criminal conspirator and partner?  It was Pres. Ali himself who said dismissively that he receives a zillion texts and phone calls hourly.  He’s a very popular, much-in-demand, leader.  So, if he doesn’t have time to recall texts and calls from Mohamed the younger, how is he expected to pull rabbits from hats, and recall bankroller duties that Mohamed asserted (nay, swore) he did for the PPP?

In all of this, I behold a cat-and-mouse game in slow motion.  The PPP eyes the Mohameds and their dangers.  The US watches the Mohameds (and the PPP [Exxon or no Exxon]), and whatever tricks are conjured.  The Mohameds look to the heavens and ask: from here to where, what to do?  I correct myself; this isn’t a cat-and-mouse caper in process.  It’s a cat-and-scorpion minefield that’s not fully firmed up, still unfolding.  I shouldn’t be a commentator.  I shoudda been a blasted soothsayer.

When a US Ambassador can take leave of her senses.  Sorry, Excellency; I take that back.  Take leave of protocols and practices, with parlance to match (100 percent commitment, no retreat), something is afoot.  I’m watching so I don’t get kicked.  It’s Lent.  I continue to wash feet.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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• extradition, GHK Lall, Mohameds, Nicole D. Theriot, PPP, US Ambassador

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