Anna Regina, Guyana — A senior source within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has harshly criticized the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government for diverting a military aircraft from national defense duties to transport party officials and affiliates to a political rally and concert in Region Two.
According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the aircraft, ordinarily used to support border patrol operations and logistics missions, was instructed by President Irfaan Ali to ferry PPP officials and government-aligned media operatives from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle to Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, over the weekend.
“At a time when Venezuela poses an active threat to our territorial integrity, diverting critical GDF resources for partisan political events is not only reckless, it’s dangerous and bordering on treasonous,” the source said.
Eyewitnesses and videos circulating on social media show PPP party members, including controversial Trinidadian social media personality Ian Alleyne, boarding the military aircraft. The aircraft was also reportedly used to transport a group of Trinidadian soca performers who headlined the PPP’s rally-concert hybrid event at Anna Regina.
Despite public backlash, Alleyne denied receiving state-sponsored travel, claiming he “posed for a photo” outside the aircraft. However, footage and independent reports contradict this account, showing him disembarking from the plane at the rally location.
The GDF source emphasized that the military aircraft is a limited and valuable asset, especially amid escalating tensions with neighboring Venezuela over the Essequibo region. The source warned that during the aircraft’s time on PPP duty, the GDF’s ability to respond to a border incident would have been compromised.
“If there had been a Venezuelan incursion or emergency involving our troops during that window, the aircraft would not have been available to respond. That’s unacceptable,” the source stated.
This incident follows growing concerns about the state of GDF resources. Just weeks ago, five GDF officers wounded in a confrontation with Venezuelan soldiers disguised in civilian clothing were left stranded at a remote border location for hours without medical evacuation. One officer suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The lack of a functioning GDF aircraft forced authorities to await parts flown in from Trinidad and Tobago before repairs could be made and the soldiers airlifted to safety.
Public and press criticism of the PPP government’s use of GDF resources for political gain is mounting. News Source Guyana reported that the aircraft was “used to shuttle some officials and government media to Anna Regina to attend the political event.” Independent commentators have described the incident as a blatant abuse of state resources.
The GDF insider accused the PPP government of politicizing the military and undermining its apolitical mandate.
“We are soldiers. Our mission is to defend Guyana, not to chauffeur politicians to concerts,” the source declared. “The PPP must stop treating the GDF like its personal taxi service.”
As Guyana’s geopolitical tensions grow more serious, critics argue that undermining the operational readiness of the GDF to score political points could have dire consequences for national security.
