By Roysdale Forde S.C- A recent video interview conducted by journalist Travis Chase with one Mr. Baskh has exposed grave allegations of gold smuggling from Venezuela into Guyana, implicating named Guyanese individuals, including Tamesh Jagmohan and others affiliated to the PPP/C government, in collusion with Venezuelan military officials. These claims, now widely disseminated, demand immediate and resolute action. They strike at the very core of Guyana’s sovereignty, economic stability, and the rule of law.
Guyana faces multiple crises: a volatile border dispute with Venezuela, a debilitating shortage of foreign currency, particularly U.S. dollars, and systemic corruption in the allocation of multi-billion-dollar state contracts. These issues, compounded by the smuggling allegations, reveal a dangerous convergence of lawlessness, unaccountability, and economic peril. As a Member of Parliament and Senior Counsel, I unequivocally demand an urgent, independent, and thorough investigation into these allegations to safeguard our nation’s integrity.
The alleged collusion between Guyanese individuals and Venezuelan military officials is not merely a criminal enterprise; it constitutes a direct threat to national security. The smuggling of gold across our borders, facilitated by foreign military actors amid an unresolved border controversy, raises critical questions: Who shields these perpetrators? Who profits from this illicit trade? Why has the government remained silent? Such activities undermine Guyana’s territorial integrity and erode public trust in governance.
“Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.” (Joe Biden)
The ongoing foreign exchange crisis exacerbates economic hardship, stifling businesses and livelihoods. Concurrently, the opaque award of state contracts fuels perceptions of entrenched corruption. These smuggling allegations amplify concerns of systemic rot within institutions tasked with protecting national interests. The government’s inaction in the face of such serious claims is indefensible and signals complicity or gross negligence.
The Guyanese people deserve transparency, accountability, and justice. Corruption, left unchecked, corrodes democracy and stifles progress. As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The allegations of gold smuggling, if substantiated, represent a profound injustice that demands a robust response. I therefore issue the following calls to action:
- To National Authorities: Immediately establish an independent investigative body, free from political influence, to probe the allegations raised in the Chase interview. This body must have the authority to summon witnesses, access financial records, and collaborate with law enforcement to ensure a comprehensive inquiry. The findings must be made public to restore trust in governance.
- To the International Community: The United States Embassy, British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, and other diplomatic missions in Guyana must support efforts to uncover the truth. Cross-border smuggling and corruption undermine regional stability and contravene international norms of governance. Diplomatic pressure and technical assistance are critical to ensuring accountability.
- To the Government of Guyana: The magnitude of these allegations, coupled with persistent governance failures, warrants immediate resignation. The administration’s inability to address corruption, economic mismanagement, and national security threats has eroded public confidence. This pernicious group, the PPP/C, masquerading as a democratic government should not stay another day at the helm of this state. Perhaps, a transitional government must be installed to restore order, transparency, and integrity pending free and fair elections.
The people of Guyana, irrespective of political allegiance, must unite in outrage against this stunning betrayal of public trust. Our democracy, economy, and future generations depend on decisive action. Denial, obfuscation, or delay will only deepen the crisis. The government’s silence in the face of these allegations is tantamount to complicity, and its continued inaction is an affront to the rule of law.
The smuggling of gold, if proven, not only deprives Guyana of vital resources but also fuels a cycle of corruption that impoverishes our nation. It is a stark reminder that unchecked power breeds lawlessness. The time for accountability is now. Guyana cannot afford to be held hostage by the avarice of a few or the acquiescence of those in power.
The allegations of gold smuggling from Venezuela to Guyana are a clarion call for action. An independent investigation is not merely warranted; it is essential to protect our sovereignty, restore public trust, and uphold the rule of law. The government must act swiftly or step aside. The international community must lend its support to ensure justice prevails. The people of Guyana deserve a government that serves with integrity, not one mired in scandal.
We must rise to meet this moment with courage and resolve. Let us demand transparency, accountability, and justice, together, without fear, for the future of our nation.
