GEORGETOWN, Guyana, October 2026 — Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, who led the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) for a decade and served as Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, died on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was 78. His brother, Charles Corbin, confirmed his passing.
Known widely as “RHO,” Corbin was born in Linden on February 15, 1948. His political life spanned more than five decades. He began in the party’s youth arm, serving as National Chairman of the Young Socialist Movement in the 1970s, and quickly rose to the party’s Central Executive. Over the years he held the posts of Parliamentary Secretary, government minister, General Secretary of the party and, from 1985 to 1992, Deputy Prime Minister. His time as Deputy Prime Minister ended when the PNC lost the 1992 elections.
Corbin became party leader after the death of Desmond Hoyte in December 2002 and was confirmed in the post in February 2003. He led the PNCR and served as Leader of the Opposition until July 2012, when David Granger succeeded him. His leadership was tested after the party’s disappointing result in the 2006 elections.
His party credits him with one legacy above others: pushing the PNCR toward coalition politics. In a joint statement, the PNCR and APNU said he helped steer the party toward the partnerships that later produced the APNU+AFC coalition’s victory in 2015. They described him as “astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking,” and called his death an “irreplaceable loss.” Outside active politics, Corbin practised law. The party said that even during his illness he kept offering advice to the organisation. The statement extended condolences to his wife, Carol, his children, other relatives, colleagues and friends. It closed: “May his soul rest in peace as we continue to benefit from his lasting contributions to our Party and Guyana.”
The tributes crossed party lines. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, leader of the governing PPP/C, called Corbin a “political stalwart” and noted that “as a former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Government and longstanding Member of Parliament, Mr. Corbin occupied a place of prominence in public life.” The President extended “sincere condolences to Mr. Corbin’s family and loved ones, to the leadership and membership of the People’s National Congress, and to its supporters throughout Guyana and the diaspora.”
Corbin’s career covered some of the most contested chapters in Guyana’s political history, and Guyanese will judge those years differently. This publication believes his death is a moment to honour a long life given to public service, and to reflect honestly on the record of the era he helped shape. His argument that no single party can carry this country alone may be his most lasting contribution. It is a lesson Guyana’s politics still struggles to learn.
Funeral arrangements had not been announced at the time of publication.
This publication extends its condolences to the Corbin family. How do you remember Robert Corbin and his place in Guyana’s political story?
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