Georgetown, Guyana, July 27, 2026. Opposition Members of Parliament staged a dramatic protest in the National Assembly on Monday, walking out of the chamber in opposition to the government’s decision to proceed with a supplementary budget despite the nation’s continued mourning following the MV Barima tragedy.
Led by MP Amanza Walton-Desir, opposition MPs observed that the country had not yet come to terms with the loss of more than 100 lives and argued that Parliament should not simply resume “business as usual.”
Addressing supporters outside the chamber, Walton-Desir accused the government of placing financial business ahead of the nation’s grief.
“They are prepared to walk over you to do business as usual.”
She also criticised what she described as the government’s haste to move from a brief tribute to debating additional spending.
“They’ve come here for the money. They wanted one minute of silence and then to go straight to the money. We’re not having it,” Walton-Desir said, calling on Guyanese to become more actively engaged in holding their leaders accountable.
Despite the opposition’s protest and walkout, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) used its parliamentary majority to pass the $54.9 Billion supplementary budget.
The demonstration is the latest sign of growing political tension over the government’s handling of the MV Barima dis
