Critical analysis of Guyana’s political landscape. For a pro-government perspective, see Uncle Ramesh’s take.

📊 The Crime Paradox

The Numbers: Police report a 25.5% reduction in overall serious crime for 2025, but murders jumped 11.1%—from 117 in 2024 to 130 in 2025.

What Dropped:

  • Armed robbery with firearms: down 29.4%
  • Robbery with violence: down 34.1%
  • Burglary: down 70.1%
  • Rape: down 12.6%
  • Larceny from person: down 39.5%

The Reality: While property crimes and robberies are down significantly, the murder rate is climbing. That’s 13 more families mourning loved ones lost to violence.

The Question: What’s driving the murder increase when other violent crimes are falling?

🚁 New $123M Search & Rescue System

Big Investment: Guyana launched a modernized Search and Rescue Information and Management System (SARIMS) at Timehri Control Tower, costing $123 million.

What It Does:

  • Integrates all relevant local and international agencies on one platform
  • Provides real-time data for faster decision-making
  • Reduces deployment time for emergencies
  • Houses operations at Georgetown Rescue Coordination Centre

Capacity Building: 16 individuals from GCAA, CJIA, GDF, and Ogle Airport trained as search-and-rescue mission coordinators by Canadian experts.

Next Phase: Government moving forward on a maritime search-and-rescue centre at Kingston to mirror the Timehri system.

Why It Matters: With increased flight operations and offshore oil activity, having robust emergency response capacity could save lives.

🚗 Over 3,100 Traffic Offences in One Week

The Carnage: Between January 4-10, police recorded 3,107 traffic violations.

Top Offenders:

  • 964 cases of speeding
  • 168 motorcyclists without helmets
  • 62 pillion riders without helmets
  • 151 vehicles in dangerous positions
  • 93 unlighted vehicles (rear)
  • 57 unlighted vehicles (front)

The Problem: Nearly 1,000 speeding cases in ONE WEEK shows reckless driving is rampant.

East Bank Demerara Focus: Traffic ranks maintaining strong presence during ongoing road works, despite poor road surfaces, limited signage, and inadequate lighting.

The Appeal: Police urging motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic laws, and prioritize safety. Enforcement will continue.

💰 Financial System Reforms “In Coming Weeks”

The Promise: President Ali says government will accelerate modernization of Guyana’s financial architecture, including the stock exchange, “in the coming weeks.”

The Rationale: As the economy grows, the existing financial framework must adapt to the expanding scale and complexity.

What’s Included:

  • Stock market modernization
  • Financial inclusion reforms
  • New investment opportunities for ordinary Guyanese

The Reality Check: “Coming weeks” is government-speak for “eventually, maybe.” We’ve heard similar promises before. Let’s see if this one materializes.

✈️ More Airfare Reductions

The Trend Continues: Trans Guyana Airways announced a 7% reduction in airfares to all rehabilitated hinterland airstrips, following Air Services Limited’s 9% reduction.

The Trigger: President Ali’s call for local operators to reduce fares in recognition of government’s airstrip rehabilitation efforts.

The Pattern: When infrastructure actually gets completed, costs come down and service improves. Novel concept.

🚨 Murder-Suicide Investigation

Grim Discovery: Police investigating a suspected murder-suicide in Wortmanville that occurred Tuesday morning (Jan 13) between 5:00-8:15 hrs. Firearm, ammunition, knife, and suspected poisonous substance recovered from a guest house.

The Silence: Details remain scarce as investigation continues.

⚖️ Court Backlog Easing

Progress Report: January 2026 Demerara Criminal Assizes lists 126 cases for January-March, representing continued decline in backlogs over the past five years.

Major Cases: Includes 2012 schoolboy murder, Shonette Dover case, and scores of rape charges.

The Reality: Justice delayed is justice denied—even if the delay is getting shorter. Some of these cases have waited over a decade.

💊 CANU’s 2025 Wins

Drug War Update: Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit reports operational gains including:

  • Major drug seizures
  • Launch of National Early Warning System for new psychoactive substances
  • 27 training programmes completed
  • Expanded regional and international cooperation

The Shift: Moving toward more intelligence-led and coordinated enforcement rather than just interdiction.

2026 Focus: Enhanced intelligence tools, stronger partnerships, improved operational readiness against evolving trafficking methods and synthetic drugs.

🏛️ AG Still Criticizing Courts

Repeat Performance: Attorney General Anil Nandlall raised “serious concerns” about magistrates’ courts failing to apply modern legislation.

The Pattern: This is becoming a weekly occurrence. Maybe try working WITH the judiciary instead of publicly blasting them?

The Bottom Line

Monday’s news shows progress in some areas (crime reduction, emergency response, airfare relief) alongside persistent challenges (rising murders, traffic chaos, delayed court cases). The financial system modernization promise joins a long list of “coming soon” government initiatives.

Most encouraging: When infrastructure actually gets completed (airstrips), benefits follow (lower fares). Lesson: Finish what you start.

Most concerning: 3,100 traffic violations in one week and murders up 11% suggest enforcement and prevention need serious attention.

Tomorrow’s Watch: Will financial reforms actually materialize “in coming weeks”? Will traffic enforcement reduce the speeding epidemic? Will anyone explain WHY murders are rising?

Reading the Other Side: Some will celebrate the 25% crime reduction, praise the search & rescue investment, and defend traffic enforcement as proof the system works. Read Uncle Ramesh’s take for that perspective.

Stay alert, Guyana. 🇬🇾