Truth or Treachery: PPP/C Must Come Clean on Mohammeds/Venezuela Claims- Forde

By Roysdale Forde S.C-Under the established principles of common law, the presumption of innocence is afforded to every individual, and the burden of proof lies squarely with the accuser. These safeguards are not mere formalities; they are the bedrock of justice and must be upheld in every matter of public concern.

Equally, the integrity of a nation’s government depends on its unwavering adherence to truth, particularly in matters touching on national security and public trust. If, as credible suspicions now suggest, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has misrepresented the alleged visits of the Mohammeds to Venezuela or their purported applications for Venezuelan visas, the implications pose a serious and potentially insidious threat to Guyana.

Should the claims of the Venezuelan Ambassador regarding visa applications prove to be fabrications, or worse, deliberate falsehoods, the implications transcend mere political maneuvering. Such actions would signal a government willing to manipulate truth for political persecution, undermining the very foundation of democratic governance.

The allegations are particularly serious: that the PPP/C, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has propagated a narrative unsupported by evidence to discredit political opponents. This is not a trivial dispute but a matter of national consequence. As the eminent jurist Lord Denning once observed, “The law does not stand still when justice is at stake; it moves to protect the truth and the rights of the individual against the overreach of power.” If the government’s assertions about the Mohammeds’ ties to Venezuela are false, they constitute a betrayal of public trust and a dangerous erosion of democratic principles.

A government’s legitimacy hinges on its role as a steward of public confidence, not as a purveyor of fear or deception. In times of crisis, when Guyana faces escalating threats to its territorial sovereignty from Venezuela, the state must act with transparency and accountability.

To falsely accuse citizens of colluding with a foreign adversary is to weaponise patriotism for political gain, a tactic that risks fracturing national unity and weakening our collective resolve. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis aptly stated, “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” The PPP/C must heed this wisdom and produce verifiable evidence to substantiate its claims.

If the Mohammeds applied for Venezuelan visas, the government must present the applications. If they traveled to Venezuela then it must disclose passport records, flight manifests, or border entry documentation. These are not unreasonable demands but the minimum standard of accountability owed to the Guyanese people. A government that claims to possess evidence must bring it into the light of public scrutiny. Failure to do so, whether through silence, obfuscation, or shifting narratives, raises a singular question: what is being concealed, and to what end?

The absence of evidence would confirm suspicions of a calculated campaign to vilify political opponents. Such deception, particularly in the context of Venezuela’s ongoing threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity, is not merely a political misstep; it is a profound betrayal of the national interest. Fabricating ties between citizens and a hostile foreign regime undermines the credibility of Guyana’s foreign policy and imperils our sovereignty. It transforms national security into a tool for political vendettas, eroding the public’s faith in governance and weakening the social contract.

This is not hyperbole. The deliberate distortion of truth by a government risks plunging a nation into the shadows of authoritarianism. When facts are subordinated to narrative, and evidence is supplanted by assertion, the state ceases to serve its people and instead seeks to control them. This is a line no democratic government must ever cross. To manipulate diplomacy in this manner is to wield a reckless blade against the heart of public confidence, threatening the very fabric of our nation; not from external aggression, but from internal betrayal.

The stakes could not be higher. Guyana stands at a critical juncture, facing external pressures that demand unity and resolve. Internal deception, however, is a far greater threat than any foreign adversary. A government that fabricates threats to silence dissent does not strengthen the nation; it weakens it. It diminishes our moral authority on the global stage and sows division at home. The PPP/C must recognise that transparency is not a concession but a cornerstone of real democratic legitimacy.

To restore public trust, the government must act decisively. It must present irrefutable evidence of the Mohammeds’ alleged actions or admit that no such evidence exists. Silence is not an option; it is an indictment. The people of Guyana deserve answers, not ambiguity. They deserve a government that respects their intelligence and upholds their right to the truth.

The course of action required is unmistakable. The PPP/C administration must either present verifiable evidence to substantiate its assertions or withdraw them without equivocation. Anything less would erode the very principles of justice and accountability upon which our Republic rests. Guyana’s sovereignty is not defined solely by its geographic borders; it is equally anchored in the trust between the governed and those who govern. To compromise that trust is to weaken the very foundation of our democracy.

These are consequential times. Guyana cannot afford disunity bred by misinformation or concealment. The government must speak with clarity and truth, for in the absence of such candour, it will be judged not merely by its opponents, but by the silence it chooses to maintain. In matters of national trust, the truth is not optional—it is imperative.