Message by the Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Christopher Jones, On the Occasion of Guyana’s 59th Independence Anniversary

26th May 2025

Fellow Guyanese,

Today, we stand on sacred ground – the soil of a free, sovereign, and resilient nation. On this 59th anniversary of our independence, we remember with pride the sacrifices of our foreparents – men and women of valor – who cast off the shackles of colonialism to chart a path of self-determination and dignity for all the people of Guyana.  But as we hoist our Golden Arrowhead today, we must do more than reflect. We must recommit. Recommit to defending our borders, protecting our people, and preserving the principles of justice, equality, and national unity that define our Republic.

Let me be unequivocally clear, Guyana’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. The Essequibo belongs to Guyana – not by whim or wish, but by international law, by history, and by the 1899 Arbitral Award. Venezuela’s continued aggression – from baseless territorial claims to the hosting of sham elections to install a so-called “governor” and legislative officials over Guyanese territory – is not just an insult to our nation, it is an affront to the rule of law, to regional stability, and to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The Opposition stands with the people of Guyana in total and absolute rejection of these provocative actions. I say this with utmost conviction: unity cannot be declared – it must be demonstrated. Therefore, we urge the Government to adopt a more inclusive approach to matters of national importance – especially those that concern the territorial integrity of our beloved country. The opposition, civil society, the diaspora, and every patriotic Guyanese must be invited to play a role in this defence. We must never allow partisanship to obscure patriotism.

We reiterate our call on the Government to resume frequent and regular meetings of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations so that the entire House can deliberate, advise, and act collectively on this grave threat to our national patrimony. Foreign policy cannot be under purview of a few; it must be shaped by inclusive, bipartisan consensus when the very map of Guyana is under attack.

But even as we face external threats, we cannot be silent on the injustices that unfold within our own borders.

Today, I rise to renew the call for justice for Adrianna Younge, a bright and beautiful young girl whose life was tragically cut short under deeply suspicious circumstances. Her lifeless body was found in the pool of the Double Day Hotel, nearly a day after she was declared missing.
Since then, the conduct of the Guyana Police Force and, by extension, the Government of Guyana has raised serious concerns – not of diligence or determination, but of deliberate deflection.

The slow pace of the investigation, the lack of transparency, and what appears to be an unspoken effort to protect the interests of the hotel proprietor over the cries of a grieving family – these are not the hallmarks of justice, but of injustice. Adrianna was a daughter of this soil. She deserved protection in life, which she was robbed of, and now she deserves justice in death. The Opposition joins her family and the wider public in demanding answers, accountability, and the swift prosecution of all those responsible.

As we look to the horizon of our 60th year of independence, let us remember: freedom is not merely the absence of colonial rule. It is the presence of justice. It is the preservation of sovereignty. It is the empowerment of every citizen, regardless of rank, religion, or political affiliation.

May we raise our voices with courage. May we defend our country with unity. And may we remember that the work of building a just and secure nation is the responsibility of us all.

Long live the eighty three thousand square miles and long live the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Happy Independence Guyana
Thank you.