Government Is Sliding Toward Chinese, Putin Style Authoritarianism

Dear Editor,

I write out of deep alarm at the political and ideological direction in which Guyana is heading. Democracy has become a façade as elements of centralized control, weakened institutions, and dominant‑PPP party politics have emerged. Guyana remains formally an elected democracy, yet multiple sources describe autocratic tendencies.

The current PPP government’s behavior under Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo leadership increasingly mirrors the hallmarks of Putin and Xi style authoritarianism — centralized power, contempt for institutional checks, open hostility toward dissent and unaligned media houses, silencing dissidents, threats to critics including journalists, using trolls to go after opponents, dismissal from state jobs of those combating corruption, refusing to hold parliamentary debates, among other violations of democratic norms.

Local government elections are due in July with three months extension, but government has not signaled to call it within the deadline. Guyana may hold elections, but the spirit of democracy is being hollowed out, not respected. The opposition is completely blanked, hardly consulted on important policies and appointments as required by law. It is not forgotten that Jagdeo studied in Russia and is friendly with Putin and also enjoys cozy relation with China. Chinese businesses dominate Guyana and stifle local businesses; Chinese businesses hardly pay taxes.

The ruling party has tightened its grip on state institutions to a degree that should trouble every citizen and the western democracies, the ABCE countries. The Carter Center, the OAS, and the EU have called for respect of democratic norms and consultation with the opposition. But Irfaan and Jagdeo continue to defy international opinion. Independent bodies that are meant to safeguard fairness and accountability are disrespected or sidelined. The government bends institutions to its will. This pattern is disturbingly reminiscent of how Vladimir Putin and Xi consolidated control in Russia and China respectively: through steady erosion of rights, transparency, and public trust.

Equally alarming is the PPP government’s treatment of critics. Instead of engaging opposing views, it resorts to intimidation, public attacks, and the weaponization of state resources against those who dare to speak out. This is not democratic leadership — it is authoritarian behavior at its peak. Guyanese citizens should not have to fear retaliation for exercising their constitutional right to question their government.

Guyana’s two dominant Indian leaders seem increasingly comfortable ruling through dominance rather than dialogue, through propaganda rather than accountability, and through ethnic division rather than national unity. These are the very tactics that have entrenched authoritarianism in several other nations. The ABCE countries and the Carter Center must not allow Guyana to follow that path.

Our country has already lived through periods of authoritarian rule. We know the cost. We know the damage. And we know how long it takes to rebuild trust once democracy is undermined. That is why every Guyanese — regardless of race and political affiliation — must speak out now. Silence is complicity.

I call on the government to reverse its authoritarian drift, respect institutional independence, and treat critiques not as an enemy to crush but as a democratic necessity. Guyana deserves leadership that strengthens democracy, not leadership that behaves like a Caribbean imitation of Putin’s Russia or Xi’s China.

Yours truly,
Name Withheld