Latest update October 26th, 2026 10:20 AM
U.S. Ambassador digs a hole for herself
(Kaieteur News) – Ye Gods! The Justice Gino Persaud “visa review” public kangaroo trial is leading to some unlikely places. In his trial by fire, even the mighty U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Excellency Nicole D. Theriot, ended up with her own hair on fire. “We are not aware.” What to make of that bombshell straight out of Hollywood? Has nothing to do with measurements and appeal. Has everything to do with the sound and optics, the implications, of “we are not aware.”
For the record, I think that Excellency Theriot has been given a dirty posting (PPP Govt); a dirty set of realities (faux democracy, sleazy environment, untrustworthy leadership, and ugly official banditry) in which to operate. She has done better in her position, than many would have, given the same undesirable role. She has represented American interests well. The messages of the American Government faithfully and professionally broadcast. An ambassador on the subdued side; but one not to be tampered with, so sure she is of the weight she carries and the heat she packs. Though not overly effusive, it is the best that I can muster for Ambassador Theriot. This I believe does her work ethic justice, commends her navigation in the treacherous mud reefs of Guyana’s politics.
Unfortunately, I must now pull the plug on Excellency Theriot. Relative to the highest profile “visa review” of a Guyanese (at least of a sitting judge), there is media output where the ambassador is reported coming up with blanks. From Village Voice on 24th September,2026 came an article titled, “U.S. Ambassador says Embassy was unaware of Justice Persaud’s visa review” I quote: “On occasion we would submit that information, but in the case that I think you are talking about, we were not aware.”
Dissecting that sentence, I assert the following. To begin with, “we would submit that information”, that’s expected as part of normal ops when there are grounds for such a grave step. Second, “in the case that I think you are talking about”, there’s only one public visa review matter currently, so that hedge troubles, makes no sense. Third, “we were not aware” is unbelievable, given the Guyanese under the U.S. microscope and the history of his judicial ruling (one at least). I see that as a showstopper, a drop-dead inexplicability. Now I raise the bar on everyone, starting here.
For her or her Embassy to be in the dark is for both to be blindsided by Washington. It was not overnight. It is not the American Way to leave one of their own hanging out to dry and emptyhanded. Especially, when she be called upon for an explanation, to fill in the gaps. This was exactly what happened. Without rubbing it in, it was not one of Excellency Theriot’s finer moments. She was left stranded. She was made to look less than authoritative, not in control of her territory. I want to use some tougher words, but think it’s better for polish to rule today.
For an American Ambassador to be left in this uncomfortable position gives rise to another harsher interpretation and assertion. It tables the issue of how much the ambassador and her embassy is trusted, when both are not in the loop. In some regard, there’s an element of disrespect in there. I pen this amid the usual constraints of ‘need-to-know’ and the sensitivity and timing of certain matters relative to specific targets of the U.S. State Dept. I think that State has an obligation to clear the air soonest, if only to give Excellency Theriot some much-needed cover. For my part, I regret that I am unable to cut U.S. Ambassador Theriot any slack in this Justice Gino Persaud visa review snafu and cluster circle. As an American of some mileage, she should be aware of the translation of snafu and cluster circle. They apply in both Georgetown and Washington.
(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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