Congratulations to Guyana's Executive President, Donald Ramotar. The go-ahead from the Guyana electorate is a tremendous responsibility. He is an experienced career politician and is up to the challenge.
There are certainly going to be challenges. Unlike previous elections since the restoration of democracy to Guyana in 1992, this is the first time the PPP/C has not won an overall majority.
As of last week, the new Executive was coming together with President Ramotar and his Cabinet; however, for the first time the Legislature will see the opposition parties holding a majority. This majority is a slim lead, with 33 opposition seats to 32 for the PPP/C. It is a majority, nonetheless.
It means there has been a shift in the balance of power in the politics of Guyana, putting the PPP/C in a position where it must now work closely with the opposition parties. It also puts cross-party collaboration on the shoulders of the President.
President Ramotar's work is cut out for him. He must now manage his government so it works hand in hand with the opposition parties. A similar challenge faces the opposition: it too must also work closely with the government. Together, the entire government is now capable of moving Guyana forward and doing so in a more inclusive and unified way. Now is the time, more than ever, for prudence, maturity and responsible behaviour. And above all, patriotism – doing what is best for the nation, and not only for party or individuals.
The way this election has turned out, it is a win for all the political parties that constitute the entire government. And significantly, it is a win for all of the peoples who make up Guyana.
This has been an election as never before. The electorate has handed the opposition parties the veto power of just one seat and the go-ahead to play a more significant role in moving Guyana forward. No more should there be complaints about top-down decision-making, or merely having to rubber-stamp government decisions.
A tremendous power has been given by the people of Guyana to its politicians. Now the entire government has no other choice than to work together responsibly and maturely to move this nation forward.

 

It has not been an easy ride for the Trinidad and Tobago government. Its latest challenge is the allegation of an assassination plot against the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and two government ministers.
This is a plan that grew out of the illegal drug trade, the prime minister has said. She has linked this to the government's declaration of a State of Emergency, and the victories won by her government in the war against illegal drugs. Her take on this latest challenge is it is a treasonous act of revenge by those affected by her government's gains.
Despite the scepticism by some who claim the death threat is a hoax, the statistics show the Trinidad and Tobago government gaining in its war on crime. As of late last month the murder rate stood at 305; for the same time in 2010, a total of 443 persons were killed.
From the start of the State of Emergency on August 21 to November 23 a total of 7,269 persons were arrested, with 463 persons in this group detained for gang-related activities. Over (TT) $1.5 billion in illegal drugs were seized or destroyed, with 13,183 rounds of ammunition seized, along with 34 gun magazines and 173 firearms.
Gains as these do not come without collateral damage. The foreign media continue to report Trinidad and Tobago being under siege. The assassination plot was been widely reported by the networks at home, by the BBC, CNN, AP, Reuters and Sky News. It triggered updates on travel advisories. The Foreign and Commonwealth Offices of both the UK and the Australian governments are warning citizens traveling to Trinidad and Tobago.
And for those of us in the GTA travelling to the homeland for Christmas, it would be wise to regard these advisories with similar vigilance.