Justice and Stability

Guyana Business Editorial

Justice and Stability

The tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge has left an open wound in Guyana’s national conscience. Found floating in the Double Day Hotel’s swimming pool nearly 20 hours after being reported missing, her death has shaken the nation and exposed profound deficits of trust in Guyana’s institutions. This tragedy demands more than condolences—it requires urgent action, courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

While diplomatically appropriate, US Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot’s recent statement falls short of addressing the deeper issues. In her statement, the Ambassador expressed condolences and shared “deep concern and sorrow over the crisis and civil unrest” while encouraging “all Guyanese citizens to remain calm and voice their concerns through non-violent means and to adhere to the rule of law.” She further urged people to “commit to peace as the Government works to resolve the situation.”

Calls for nonviolence and adherence to the rule of law are necessary but insufficient in this context. When a child dies under suspicious circumstances, and when institutions charged with protecting the public appear compromised, particularly after police initially released false information about Adrianna entering a vehicle that was later disproven, appeals to peace must be paired with unwavering demands for transparency and accountability. Many have recognized this reality and rightly declared, “Justice for Adrianna is not negotiable—it is a moral imperative.”

What makes this case particularly troubling is the institutional context. The Double Day Hotel has a disturbing history—in 2012, a young mechanic was found dead in the same pool under suspicious circumstances. The hotel owner’s son and a staff member were charged but later freed, raising questions about whether powerful interests have been improperly protected. This history likely caused the family and the community to stand vigil on the evening of April 23rd. Additionally, the initial police response was deeply flawed, leading to the reassignment of Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall from his post as Commander of Regional Police Division Three.

The United States has positioned itself as a partner in Guyana’s democratic development. That partnership must extend beyond calls for stability to a shared commitment to justice. When Ambassador Theriot presented her credentials to President Ali in 2023, she affirmed that she looked forward to “advancing the goal of a prosperous and safe Guyana.” Safety cannot exist without accountability, and prosperity means little without justice.

If the rule of law is to mean anything, it must apply to those with power and those without it. While the autopsy conducted by three international pathologists has determined drowning as the cause of death, many remain unconvinced. They are calling for an independent international investigation, hoping the FBI or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will conduct a full, impartial investigation.

Adrianna’s death cannot be reduced to a passing tragedy. It must be a reckoning—a moment that forces Guyana to confront deeper issues of institutional integrity, accountability, and justice. The people of Guyana are not simply crying out in grief—they are calling for systemic change. They deserve the dignity of a complete and fearless response that addresses not just the symptoms of unrest but its root causes, and ensures a thorough investigation and resolution.

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Dr. Terrence Richard Blackman

Guyana Business Journal