GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, on Monday appealed for peace and the rule of law, as the Caribbean country gets ready to bid farewell to 11-year-old Adriana Younge, whose body was found in a swimming pool at a hotel late last month.

Younge is scheduled to be buried on Monday. Her family has confirmed the date and is urging the public to remain peaceful and avoid any protests.

An autopsy conducted by three internationally respected pathologists last week concluded that Younge died by drowning, but there have been calls for an international probe into the death of the child with several political parties and civil society actors dismissing a report from President Irfaan Ali that Younge did not die from “forceful drowning”.

Citing a lack of confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the family and the Opposition have called for an international probe after the child’s body was found in a pool at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo under controversial circumstances.

A GPF statement stated that she had been seen on government video surveillance cameras entering an identifiable car.

Last week, the government announced a four and a half hour curfew and the order, which was gazetted last Tuesday, stated that there shall be no public meetings, gatherings, and assemblies of persons, procession or marches in any public space during the hours of 12:30 am and 5:00 am as the capital remained a virtual ghost town.

“I express my heartfelt condolences following the tragic death of Adrianna Younge and share my deep concern and sorrow over the crisis and civil unrest that have happened in Guyana,” the US diplomat said in a message posted on the US Embassy Facebook on Monday.

“I encourage all Guyanese citizens to remain calm and voice their concerns through non-violent means and to adhere to the rule of law. Looting and destruction of property are harmful to all. I strongly urge all involved to commit to peace as the Government works to resolve the situation.

“The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Guyana, our shared democratic principles, and the country’s continued stability and prosperity,” Theriot said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has warned that the government would not tolerate any disruptions at the time of Younge’s funeral.

“The Guyana Police Force, with the full support of the Joint Services, is on alert to respond to specific and general requests to calls for service from the public to assure calm and security,” the ministry said.

It reminded citizens of the need to enable “a non-disruptive, safe and respectful atmosphere, on May 5, 2025 “Arrival Day”, sufficiently conducive to enabling the funeral arrangements for Younge, as well as the successful commencement of sittings of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations…and the full return to safe and normal undertakings throughout the country”.