Guyana Vice President Faces Allegations of Abuse of Power and Targeting Advocates Abroad

Georgetown, Guyana – October 25, 2023

Serious allegations have surfaced against Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, as he faces accusations of abusing his office’s influence. These allegations encompass a range of actions, including ordering ministers not to engage with specific organizations and individuals in direct contradiction of Guyana’s constitutional antidiscrimination principles, the alleged compromise of the Guyana police department, repeated attempts to influence the decisions of the judiciary, and the launching of a campaign of denigration against overseas advocate Rickford Burke.

One of the most significant allegations against Vice President Jagdeo is his alleged interference with the police department and the judiciary. He has been accused of attempting to have individuals detained for extended periods without charge. In the most notorious instant, he allegedly used his power as President of Guyana to demand that Immigration Consultant and Social Activist Mark Benschop be locked up for five years without charges, a move that will never be forgotten by the citizens of Guyana.  Additionally, Jagdeo was allegedly involved in the abuse of Magistrate Juliet Allen which led to her ultimate resignation. Mrs. Holder-Allen was later known to have accused the PPP/C administration of corruption, murder, racism, and lack of accountability, and had called on President Bharrat Jagdeo to step down.

Campaign Against Rickford Burke

Rickford Burke, an overseas advocate for equality and justice in Guyana, has been the new target of a relentless campaign of denigration orchestrated by Vice President Jagdeo. Burke recently alleged that Jagdeo criticized him during a call with PPP supporters in Queens and encouraged them to discredit him by fabricating criminal allegations.

In his own words, Burke stated, “He (Jagdeo) urged them to write to Members of Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus to discredit me as a criminal and wanted man and to fabricate allegations against me and report same to the NYPD.” This accusation implies an attempt to manipulate foreign authorities for political purposes, raising questions about the ethical conduct of Guyana’s leadership.

Burke also remarked, “It is an understatement to say that Bharrat Jagdeo is obsessed with this Guy named Rickford Burke.” This accusation highlights the intensity of the alleged campaign against him and suggests a personal vendetta.

Burke goes on to draw a connection between these allegations and past events, alleging that Jagdeo was involved in “death squads that killed over 1400 young black men” during his previous term as president.

In response to the allegations, Burke questioned why Jagdeo is seemingly preoccupied with targeting African Guyanese individuals who expose corruption and crimes while not taking action against other significant threats to Guyana, such as the Maduro regime in Venezuela.