US-based Immigration Professional, Social Activist and former political prisoner Mark Benschop, in a recent interview with Village Voice News, shared eye-opening insights into Guyana’s political scene. Benschop didn’t hold back as he spoke about the recent actions of former Guyanese President and current VP Bharrat Jagdeo, in relation to dealings with PPP Supporters and the African Guyanese community.
According to Benschop, Jagdeo is trying hard to win back the support of the PPP constituency as most PPP communities continue to suffer from poor education, low incomes and high cost of living, while Irfaan Ali, Bharrat Jagdeo and the rest of the PPP elite enrich themselves from oil proceeds.
Benschop believes that Jagdeo has also decided to target the African community with low-value contracts in an effort to fight against his well-earned reputation for racism and abuse of the African community. “Jagdeo is making it seem like he’s giving them a lot, but really, the PPP continues to call the shots on how the money is spent,” Benschop explained. He pointed out that the people getting contracts are being used by the PPP. “They might look like they’re getting good deals, but in reality, they’re not really in charge of anything. Benschop said.
Benschop also mentioned that Jagdeo’s government is determined to silence critics and this point has been clearly made to the world by Jagdeo’s demand to know who complained to the UN Human Right’s committee and Irfaan Ali’s recent abusive and shameful interview with the BBC reporter. “If Jagdeo and Irfaan can target foreigners with such venom, just image what they are willing to do to their detractors at home”, said Benschop. He went on to say that it is hard for people to speak out against them and many organizations remain quiet in the face of egregious abuse because they’re scared of what might happen if they speak up.
Benschop went on to point out that even groups like the bar association are staying quiet, which in my view, implies consent,” said Benschop.
In closing, Benschop said he believes Jagdeo’s time is running out. He thinks more and more people are getting fed up with him, both in Guyana and even among Guyanese living abroad. “Jagdeo is losing support fast, and he knows it. Even people in Queens, New York, are tired of him. He can’t even visit there without facing protests from his own people,” Benschop concluded.
