The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has launched a scathing rebuke of the PPP government’s handling of the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, accusing the administration of employing “delaying tactics and blatant deception” to stifle public outcry and shield state agencies from accountability.
In a statement issued Friday, the PNCR demanded an independent criminal investigation led by international experts into the “highly suspicious and horrible” circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen East Bank Essequibo, an incident many across the nation believe to be a murder, not an accident. The party further called for an international probe into the wider operations of the Guyana Police Force, particularly its use of live ammunition and deadly force during civil unrest.
“To date, the government has displayed no willingness and urgency” in addressing these demands, the PNCR charged, accusing President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo of engaging in “deception” and “diversion tactics” to downplay the tragedy and manipulate public perception.
The party’s pointed language reflects a nation reeling from grief and anger over a case that has touched raw nerves across race, class, and political divides. The trauma, the PNCR insists, “will not fade away as the government wishes,” and any attempt to suppress justice would amount to an “affront to the memory of Adrianna and an insult to her parents, loved ones, and all Guyanese.”
A Growing Crisis of Confidence
The death of Adrianna Younge has ignited widespread demands for justice, with many Guyanese citizens doubting the integrity of the official response thus far. Critics argue that the government’s inaction and vague updates only deepen suspicion that the incident is being deliberately obscured.
The PNCR warned of the danger of tampered evidence and witness intimidation, urging the immediate commencement of an impartial investigation to preserve the integrity of the case. “There are many unanswered questions,” the statement read. “Only an independent probe can satisfactorily provide” the answers Adrianna’s family—and the nation—deserve.
Adding to public concern is what the PNCR described as the state’s continued effort to “serve and protect family, friends, and favourites,” suggesting a culture of impunity deeply entrenched within state institutions. The government’s failure to acknowledge the need for an external, transparent process, the party said, is emblematic of the PPP’s “penchant for illegalities, callousness, and immorality.”
Call for Systemic Reform
This is not merely about one tragic death, the PNCR warned. The party framed the situation as symptomatic of a broader crisis in policing and governance—a rot that demands not just accountability for Adrianna’s death, but sweeping reform across the Guyana Police Force. At the heart of their demand is a total overhaul of state accountability mechanisms, especially regarding the use of lethal force during protests.
The PNCR’s call for Terms of Reference that guarantee “thoroughness and truthfulness” is intended to prevent the investigation from becoming another symbolic gesture with no meaningful consequences.
“The people want the truth,” the statement concluded. “We want transparency and accountability. We want to ensure nothing of the sort must occur again in our country.”
