Guyana
Guyana is potentially a lucrative eco-tourist destination, but political instability, inter-ethnic tension and economic mismanagement have left it among the world's poorest countries, with an infrastructure that is barely able to support its population.
Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966 and became a republic in 1970. It is the only English-speaking country in South America. A third of its population is descended from African slaves imported by the Dutch to work on sugar plantations, while about half are the descendants of indentured Indian agricultural workers brought in by the British after slavery was abolished.
Until the 1990s more than 80% of Guyana's industries were state-owned. They were run by political appointees, with consequent mismanagement. Given falling commodity prices and high fuel costs, the country faced serious economic problems and a drop in an already low living standard. In 1989 Guyana launched an economic recovery program, which marked a dramatic move towards a more open, free market system. Results through the first decade proved encouraging. Since the late 1990s the government has divested itself of many industries, but it now faces different sets of problems in the form of environmental threats to the coastal strip, commercial threats to the rainforest, poverty and violent crime.
Former leader Janet Jagan, an American woman and candidate for the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/CIVIC), was elected president in 1997 subsequent to the death of her husband, President Cheddi Jagan. She resigned in August 1999, citing health problems, and was succeeded by Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo, from the governing People's Progressive Party, which is dominated by people of Indian (subcontinent) descent, had served under Jagan as finance minister. The mainly black opposition PNC refused to recognize his mandate.
In August 2006, Jagdeo won a five-year term in the August 2006 general elections, gaining more than 54% of the vote. The president promised to fight crime - and gang violence in particular - and to improve government services. He asserted Guyana must reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports and boost access to information technology.
There has been a dramatic increase in criminal activity in recent years along the coastal area of Guyana, especially in the capital, Georgetown and in Buxton. Criminals target foreigners, due to their relative affluence. Roadblocks, racial confrontations, assaults, armed robberies, kidnapping of people deemed likely to attract high ransoms, and random shootings in public places have occurred in Georgetown and the Buxton area, resulting in a number of deaths and severe casualties among both the police and residents. Unrest and violence could also happen elsewhere along the East Coast Demerara. Road travel to Buxton and neighboring localities should be avoided at all times, while airport roads should be driven with utmost caution, and at night only in convoy. Travelers and residents should monitor local news reports, exercise caution, and avoid large crowds and open public places.
Since the March 2001 elections, with which the opposition was dissatisfied and which highlighted racial resentment, political protests have recurred on a sporadic and unpredictable basis. Should demonstrations occur, visitors are advised to avoid areas where crowds have congregated, take common-sense precautions, monitor news broadcasts closely, and maintain a low profile.
