U.S. Restricts Visas for Persons‘Undermining’ Guyana Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States government last month implemented visa restrictions on persons in Guyana it believes are “undermining democracy” in that Caribbean community (CARICOM) country, where official results of the Mar. 2 regional and general elections are still being awaited.

“Today I am announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said July 15.

“Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to such restrictions.

“The (David) Granger government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside,” Pompeo said.

The Guyana government said it regretted the decision taken by the U.S. to implement visa restrictions. However, the Granger government said “the matter affecting the outcome of Guyana’s elections is still before courts, which is entirely the responsibility of the judiciary. No declaration has been made.”

WARNING

Last month, Pompeo warned about possible sanctions as Guyana awaited the official results of the elections that the main Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) said it had won by more than 15,000 votes, based on a national recount that had been observed by a three-member team from CARICOM.

“It’s now been four months since Guyana’s election is long past due for a peaceful transition,” Pompeo said then.

“CARICOM and the OAS (Organization of American States) has certified the recount results and (they) should get on with it.”

The ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had claimed there were several irregularities anomalies during the elections and had called for its annulment.