GEORGETOWN, Guyana – May 04, 2025 – In the wake of the tragic and widely mourned death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Guyana finds itself navigating a delicate and increasingly tense security atmosphere. The young girl’s death has not only triggered national grief but also unearthed deep-seated fear, frustration, and anger across communities, particularly among those who feel marginalized or targeted by the state.
In the past two weeks, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government has placed the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on high alert, citing the potential for violence during and after Adrianna’s funeral. While framed as a preventive measure, this move has been met with skepticism and alarm from several opposition voices and civil society actors who accuse the government of instigating ethnic tension for political ends.
Opposition figures and community leaders have gone on record suggesting that the very forces tasked with maintaining law and order may be deployed instead to aggravate unrest, particularly in Afro-Guyanese communities already weary from years of what they describe as systematic economic and social marginalization.
Opposition figures and community leaders have gone on record suggesting that the very forces tasked with maintaining law and order may be deployed instead to aggravate unrest, particularly in Afro-Guyanese communities already weary from years of what they describe as systematic economic and social marginalization.
Fears of Ethnic Polarization
Some observers believe that the government’s framing of the unrest risk as originating solely from opposition circles is an effort to delegitimize public dissent and to stoke fear among the population. These tactics, they argue, are reminiscent of previous periods in Guyanese history when ethnic tensions were weaponized for political gain, often with violent consequences.
The PPP’s public warnings have been accompanied by a noticeable uptick in police visibility in key areas around Georgetown and Linden, with reports of heightened surveillance, checkpoints, and aggressive crowd monitoring and surveillance. Many citizens, especially parents, have expressed unease about the message this sends during a time of mourning.
A Call for Lawful and Responsible Action
In this volatile atmosphere, community organizations and advocacy groups urge all citizens to act peacefully, legally, and responsibly, particularly during Adrianna Younge’s funeral and related events.
Guyanese United, an NGO platform for citizen empowerment, calls on the public to help document events and share truthful information. The group encourages all citizens to record and submit videos, photographs, text reports, or voice notes anonymously via their official Facebook Group. This initiative is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection for citizens during any interactions with authorities or third parties attempting to exploit the moment.
“We must remain peaceful. We must remain lawful. But we must not remain silent,” said a spokesperson for Guyanese United. “Let your phones be your witness. Let truth be your weapon.”
The Path Forward
As Guyana mourns the life of a young girl taken far too soon, it must also confront the uncomfortable truth of simmering divisions and a growing mistrust between the public and law enforcement. The fear that Adrianna Younge’s death could be used as a political tool by any side is chilling, and it speaks to the urgency of national introspection.
This is not a time for provocation, nor for the suppression of civil liberties under the guise of security. This is a time for restraint, justice, and truth. Whether in grief or protest, the law must be respected and protect everyone equally.
As Guyana watches closely and emotions run high, one thing must remain clear: violence cannot be the answer, and silence must not be the option.
Stay informed. Stay lawful. Stay vigilant.
Share your evidence and stories with Guyana Graphic Message on Facebook. In moments like these, the truth must be documented by the people, for the people.
