By: Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
SOUTH RUPUNUNI, REGION 9 — The tranquil landscapes of the South Rupununi are currently the backdrop for a deepening political and ethical crisis. Serious allegations have emerged suggesting that while the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) has publicly distanced itself from controversial mining operations at Marudi Mountain, key village leaders may be quietly benefiting from those very same interests.
At the center of the storm is Rodrigo Martins de Mello, known locally as Rodrigo Cataratas, a Brazilian national recently revealed to be a fugitive sentenced to 22 years in prison in his home country for leading illegal mining syndicates.
The “Royalties” Controversy: Aishalton in the Spotlight
The most damaging evidence involves visual media currently circulating within the Wapichan communities.
- Deputy Toshao Michael Thomas: Images and video reportedly show the Aishalton leader accepting what sources describe as “royalties” from individuals linked to Cataratas’ operations.
- The Conflict: Michael Thomas has historically been a vocal critic of mining without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). These new allegations of behind-the-scenes transactions have prompted calls from villagers for an immediate audit and explanation of these funds.
Sports Gear or “Gifts of Influence”?
Further scrutiny has fallen on Toshao Appollos Isaacs of Karaudarnau Village, who also represents the SRDC on the National Toshaos Council (NTC).
- The Allegation: An image has surfaced allegedly showing Isaacs receiving sports equipment from Rodrigo Cataratas himself.
- The Implication: Critics argue that such gifts serve as “soft influence” to ensure silence regarding the environmental degradation and unauthorized aerial activity—including suspected illegal airstrips—occurring near Marudi Mountain.
SRDC: Distance vs. Reality
On March 7, 2026, the SRDC issued a definitive statement claiming they were “unaware” of Cataratas’ criminal past and maintained no formal relationship with him. However, residents argue the “ground reality” is different.
“The Council says one thing in Georgetown, but in the villages, the equipment is arriving and the money is moving. We elected Toshaos to protect our land, not to lease their silence for sports gear.” — South Rupununi Resident
The National Security Threat
The presence of a convicted foreign fugitive operating within Guyana’s gold-rich interior has elevated the issue from a local dispute to a matter of national security.
| Key Figure | Alleged Activity | Status/Role |
| Rodrigo Cataratas | Leading unauthorized mining & building airstrips. | Fugitive (22-year sentence in Brazil). |
| Michael Thomas | Allegedly accepting “royalties” from mining interests. | Deputy Toshao, Aishalton. |
| Appollos Isaacs | Allegedly accepting equipment from Cataratas. | Toshao, Karaudarnau; NTC Rep. |
What’s Next?
As the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Police continue to investigate reports of illegal airstrips in the South Rupununi, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is facing mounting pressure to investigate the conduct of the embattled Toshaos.
The SRDC is expected to hold an emergency meeting this weekend to address these specific allegations against its members and to clarify its position on the “royalties” reportedly being paid to village leaders.
