Dear Editor,
Virtually every major contract has or had some kind of corruption. This government and its coalition predecessor seemingly have faced an impenetrable brick wall in combating corruption, in bringing to justice officials, police, and business persons on the take. A solution would be to seek American assistance to bring to book the egregiously corrupt, the big boys, in order to set an example to deter the corrupt from plying their robust trade. When studying economics at the graduate level at CCNY and at CUNY Grad Center in early 1980s, discussions in courses on development in the Third World often focused on corruption. It was felt that the USA could clamp down on corruption in Third World countries if it wanted by denying visas to the corrupt visas, indicting them, and bringing them to trial. Some forty years later, it seems to be happening.
The USA has a law and an agency (with serious powers) to combat global corruption; it is certain Washington will cooperate with Guyana on any request to combat corruption.
An American agency launched three years ago to combat corruption globally stated that corruption in any country poses an existential threat to national prosperity and security and democracy in every country. It is indisputable that corruption is widespread in Guyana, as admitted by leading government officials. Government leaders claim helplessness.
When government officials steal using whatever methods and police demand graft (bribe), and when both have contracting companies getting billions in state contracts, then honest businesses cannot compete with them. The small businesses have no chance of competing with the big guns. The result eventually is growing poverty, widening internal conflict (ethnic and otherwise), plummeting trust in government, increased crime and lawlessness, among other problems.
Corruption in a country not only affects that country, especially in the American backyard those in Latin America and the Caribbean, but impact America as well – mass migration of people to USA and all the attendant burdensome problems linked to it as experienced over the last several years at the American borders and communities where they settled. Recognizing the national security threat posed by corruption in developing countries, President Biden established an anti-corruption entity and issued a strategy on countering corruption. This is probably what led to the recent sanctions of Guyanese officials and business persons and visa cancellations. It is rumoured that some 100 visas were revoked this year and more in preceding years. More visa cancellations may be coming as they should to manners the corrupt whether they be government officials, police, and business persons.
Government leaders in every country often stated, “Take the evidence to the police” when people complained about corruption. Evidence is hard to obtain when corruption is disguised. Politicians are very clever to cover up corrupt acts. And the police, some of who are very corrupt, are known to make evidence disappear not only on corruption but when politicians were accused of committing serious crimes. So those with evidence have been silent. If government is serious about combating corruption, then it most do more than simply state, “Take the evidence to the police”.
Government itself may not have the evidence on or the capacity to investigate corruption. The corrupt are known to make errors in their vast network to hide their loot. They engage in money laundering by purchasing property at home, coming to USA to deposit cash in the accounts of others to hold for them or even in their own bank account, and or purchase property and expensive vehicles. Names are known and whose assets were confiscated by US authority. The Guyana government is no longer helpless. Assistance is just a request away. America has the capacity and will to take on the corrupt. It has been doing so in recent months not only against corrupt Guyanese but those from other countries also.
Washington would have evidence on Guyanese who have been involved in massive corruption. Their names would be on a list by the Treasury Department at every airport. Some were questioned when they visited USA; visas were revoked. Some would have ratted on others during questioning. Evidence would exist to put the corrupt away. Charges or indictments are needed. Once indicted, there would be request for extradition and trial and confiscation of loot.
The government will have to develop the courage to request assistance from USA on combating corruption.
Yours sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram