Is Guyana for sale? People react to controversial VICE documentary

Caribbean Loop News
All eyes are on Guyana yet again, as people the world over wait with baited breath, to see the recently released VICE documentary which focuses on what has been categorised as widespread corruption within the government.

At the start of the trailer, for the documentary titled Guyana For Sale & Moors Rising, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was all smiles as he responded to questions posed by journalist Isobel Yeung.

When asked what Guyana has to offer, he said: “The opportunity to make money, that’s why people are coming here.”

Yeung pointed out that Guyana has dropped two points on the Transparency International Corruption Index, making it one of the most corrupt countries in the Caribbean.

When asked if he accepts that there is a corruption issue plaguing the country and the government, VP Jagdeo said he took issue with the indices used to measure.
“I have a problem with the indices. This is like a blackness index, the darker you are, the lower you are in the index.”

Responding to pointed questions about whether or not his government accepts bribes however, the Vice President said no.

This was challenged by the interviewer who said that several members of the Chinese business community in Guyana said that the government does in fact accept bribes and “it’s the only way to get business done.”

A seemingly rattled Vice President Jagdeo said “I can’t comment on that, you can just sit there and fabricate that.

The trailer which was posted on YouTube one day ago has already amassed over 82 thousand views and at last count, over 400 comments.

Guyanese the world over have since taken to social media to weigh in on what was discussed during the controversial interview.

While many were full of praise for the Vice President who they said “answered the questions intelligently” and “held his own,” there were many who were less impressed.

“What else we expect him to say that he take bribe come on no one in his senses would say they take bribe we know he does,” one man posted.

Another person commented: “I read all these praise comments to Bharat if he did so good on the interview why he had to hold another press conference to defend himself so sad to see people cannot see through party line and ask the questions Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country when you cross that line then we all will have a better Guyana.”

Another commenter accused the Vice President of intimidating local journalists who were too afraid to ask the difficult questions.

“Watch this scamp squirm! This fool tried to make out the journo is biased…You can bully local journalists, but the foreign ones are not afraid to ask you the relevant and uncomfortable questions about your thieving and corruption. Mortgaging the country and children of Guyana’s future as you and your thieving friends hoard the country’s wealth. It’s s a pity your support base are so gullible and stupid! So caught up in their racism that as long as it is one of their own at the helm, the government can rape their mother, sister, daughter and they wouldn’t care…. The most racist set of people on the planet,” he posted.

This woman was one of several who questioned why President Irfaan Ali wasn’t the one in the hot seat. She posted: “I do not want to hear from Jagdeo I want to hear from the President himself – Jagdeo had his time. Irfan Ali is the president so Jagdeo needs to take a back seat.”

While happy that the VICE documentary highlights the corruption in the country, she wished time was spared to highlight Guyana’s beauty.

“I’m happy Vice came and highlighted the corruption in my Country. Please show the beautiful side of Guyana as well with the people and culture. Much love and respect to Vice always.”

The full episode of Guyana For Sale and Moors Rising was first aired on Sunday, June 19, but will be streamed on Showtime.