The opposition A Partnership for National Unity on Friday took aim at United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot following her recent remarks crediting the Irfaan Ali Administration for translating oil wealth into national development.
Speaking during an appearance on SOURCES, Ambassador Theriot said it is evident that the “current leadership of this country has the Guyanese people’s best interests at heart,” pointing to ongoing infrastructural projects across the country as evidence that Guyanese are benefiting from oil resources.
At a press conference today at Congress Place, PNC Reform Leader and APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton rejected the Ambassador’s assessment. He argued that the envoy’s praise reflects Washington’s interests rather than an objective view of conditions in Guyana.
“We are aware that the Ambassador must pursue her government’s interests and at present the US interest is being promoted above Guyana’s by the PPP/C regime and therefore she is happy with its present posture,” Norton said. “The APNU wishes to remind the Irfaan Ali regime that the US does not have permanent friends, only permanent interests and that Guyana needs to recognize this fact and act appropriately.”
Norton added that the APNU has taken note of renewed US interest and involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector, stating that this should influence Guyana’s foreign policy. He said while the coalition welcomes US support in addressing the concerns of Guyanese, it is “unfortunate that the Ambassador supports a regime that continually refuses to address gaps and flaws within the country’s electoral system like the need for voter biometrics and a clean voters list.”
According to Norton, recommendations for electoral reform from the international community, particularly those of the EU Election Observation Mission, have been brushed aside. He questioned whether the US has abandoned its commitment to democratic principles and its stance on corruption.
“We ask the question; has the US government abandoned its desire to see the back of corruption by supporting a government categorized by reputable transparency and accountability international agencies as one of the most corrupt in the world?” Norton said. He cited the Global Indices 2023 to 2025 Guyana Effectiveness Report, which he said scores Guyana at 40 and ranks it 87 out of 180 countries with a C- grade on corruption.
“The APNU has no doubt that the US has diplomatic panache and therefore respectfully submits that foreign diplomats should not appear to validate an incumbent administration in a way that brushes aside the legitimate concerns of the Guyanese people, especially at a time when the US government is fighting drugs and drug trafficking and many previously and presently associated with the corrupt PPP/C regime are under US security enforcement radar,” Norton told reporters.
Norton contended that the PPP/C regime has failed to act in the interest of Guyanese, citing what he described as evidence from everyday life, including an increase in poverty, the absence of public accountability, infrequent convening of the National Assembly, and a paucity of positive national outcomes. He said the Government diminished public accountability at the Public Accounts Committee when it changed legislation governing the body.
“Yes, roads and bridges matter. Our Manifesto speaks clearly of the importance and our own plans on infrastructure. But government cannot continue to sell a theory of development in which physical infrastructure alone is proof of national progress, albeit poorly done public infrastructure while elevated levels of poverty persist in Guyana,” Norton said. He noted that during the same week the Ambassador made her comments, Guyanese were dealing with serious flooding in Georgetown and surrounding communities. “A government that cannot keep communities better protected ahead of the rainy season cannot simply ask the nation to admire concrete and asphalt,” he added.
Norton said the coalition will continue to advocate for adherence to the rule of law and people centered initiatives, along with cohesive development policies that benefit the Guyanese people.
