“I’m not sick” – Jagdeo

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 December 2025, 23:43 by Denis Chabrol

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday dismissed claims by sections of the public that he is afflicted by cancer, especially since he has held no press conference for several weeks.

“No! I am not ill. I have not been diagnosed with cancer,” said Mr Jagdeo when asked by Demerara Waves Online News.

Known for his weekly three-to-four-hour-long press engagements, there had been increasing public speculation about his health since his previous press conference was held on November 6, 2025.

The speculation was that he was suffering from either prostate or throat cancer.

While this is the first time that Mr Jagdeo has said anything about his health, apparently responding to public speculation there were pictures and short video posts of his presence among cabinet colleagues, at community council meeting and at the launch of the Christmas village.

“I’m not diagnosed with cancer. I’m not sick and it’s not Delip speaking here; Bharrat Jagdeo (is),” he said in clear reference to a Facebook claim that someone named Delip who was paid handsomely to impersonate him.

Though the US$260 million dollar Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge was named after him at its official opening on October 5, 2025, Mr Jagdeo did not join with the hundreds of other persons to cross that east-west corridor.

President Irfaan Ali had twice on the 2025 general election campaign trail and again at the commissioning of the bridge publicly credited Mr Jagdeo for playing a major role in the development of modern Guyana.

Dr Ali also described Mr Jagdeo as his “confidante”.