CJ Politics

St Lucia’s Stephenson King Condemns CARICOM “Silence” on Guyana Unrest

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - August 16, 2012

Above: the bauxite plant in Linden

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Stephenson King is condemning the ongoing unrest in Guyana’s town of Linden, which has claimed the lives of three Guyanese nationals and injured dozens.

The violence, which began following protests over a hike in electricity tariffs, began July 18.

“The deafening silence by CARICOM to this issue is frightening and cannot persist for much longer,” King said in a statement.

King and his United Workers Party are urging CARICOM to “immediately investigate the proposed electricity tariffs” which fueled the initial protest.

“Failure by CARICOM to urgently address this issue will lead to widespread condemnation across the Caribbean and from international human rights organizations,” King said.

The unrest has led to a state of instability in Linden, which is Guyana’s second-largest town, and resulted in the complete destruction of a primary school by fire.

During the school incident, three men armed with cutlasses threatened to kill a security guard if she raised an alarm or did not leave. After computers were stolen, the school was soon set on fire.

Linden is a centre of bauxite mining activity. In large part due to the town’s economic importance, Guyana’s government had been providing a subsidy for electricity there.

But increased fuel prices have made those subsidies “unsustainable,” Guyana President Ramotar said in a letter to Lindeners last week.

A number of bridges and roads have also been destroyed, according to the government.

The protests have also led to a series of “blockages” on roads in the area, leading to the use of tear gas grenades by police. Protestors have also reportedly been throwing molotov cocktails.

Some of the blockages reportedly involved motorists being held at ransom.

Guyana’s government has said that the Linden protest has been “hijacked” by political extremists and criminals, using Lindeners’ situation to “pursue their own agenda.”

Ramotar announced last week that a commission of inquiry has been set up to investigate the three deaths.

After delaying an earlier visit to Linden, Ramotar reportedly arrived there Thursday.

King called on St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, who is also the current chairman of CARICOM to “pay urgent attention to the deadly unrest” and devise a swift plan of action.

Popular Posts eagle beach cj photo

Aruba’s New Adults-Only Resort Has Swim-Up Suites, a Rooftop Bar and One of the World’s Greatest Beaches 

Eagle Beach. If you know Aruba, you know it. That wide, white, shimmering stretch of sand in the northwestern corner of the island is one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean — and inarguably among the best beaches, well, anywhere […]


This Iconic British Virgin Islands Resort Is Finally Back, With New Rooms and Five Jaw-Dropping Beaches 

peter island is back

This beach gets its name from the island across the water. Centuries ago, some of Blackbeard’s crew tried to make the crossing from Dead Chest Island, and, well, this beach got a name of its own: Deadman’s.  If you’ve been […]


This Uncrowded Caribbean island Has Picture-Perfect Beaches, Countless Sandbars and the World’s Most Beautiful Water 

exuma caribbean island

It’s hard to see where the water ends and the sky begins. I’m wading on a sugar-white sandbar in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with nothing around but turquoise-tinted clouds. There are shades of blue here I’ve never seen. […]


Related Posts Barbados Saint Lucia Flights

InterCaribbean Adding Flights to Barbados, Saint Lucia 

Turks and Caicos-based airline InterCaribbean Airways is adding more flights in the region, Caribbean Journal has learned.  Following the introduction of two new aircraft, InterCaribbean is doubling its flights to and from Barbados.  The airline is also adding more flights […]


Caribbean Airlines Just Launched a New Route to Guyana

guyana caribbean airlines

Caribbean Airlines has launched the company’s newest route, a nod to the growing business travel demand for Guyana.  The carrier has launched new nonstop flights between Houston, Texas and Georgetown, Guyana, including onward connectivity to Port of Spain, Trinidad.  Guyana’s […]


Caribbean Airlines to Launch Houston-Guyana Flights 

caribbean airlines guyana

Guyana’s booming oil industry has led to another new route from the United States. Caribbean Airlines is launching a new route to the region, with nonstop service from Houston, Texas to Georgetown, Guyana.  The new route will also include onward […]