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Guyana

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Environment, Science & Technology

Controversy over the country's March 7 election could deter foreign investment and delay the government's pending oil and gas projects, should it morph into a prolonged political crisis. 

Postelection Turmoil Could Jeopardize Guyana's Oil Windfall

COVID-19

2020 Second-Quarter Forecast

This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

Americas

The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

Assessments

United States

Venezuela

Production from Guyana's giant offshore oil field has started to come online, and the expected revenue windfall will be a key prize for the winning party in the country's upcoming election.

A Crude Recovery

The winners of the March 2 vote will have the opportunity to use the country's newfound oil wealth to entrench their political future.

The High Stakes of Guyana's Elections

2020 Annual Forecast

2019 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

2019 Third-Quarter Forecast

2019 Second-Quarter Forecast

2019 Annual Forecast

Brazil

Colombia

Brazil may eventually need to use the military and police to repulse illegal mining driven by Venezuela's survival strategy.

Venezuela's strategy is reportedly spurring the spread of criminal gangs and militants, and making waves in Guyana, Brazil and Colombia.

Caracas' Push for Illegal Mining Is Creating Problems for Its Neighbors

Venezuela's Unraveling

2018 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

2018 Second-Quarter Forecast

Suriname

There are a number of political considerations that may motivate Caracas to make a military incursion in Guyana. 

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

An unconfirmed report suggests Caracas is considering the move. And though it could worsen Venezuela’s already dire situation, it could also offer opportunities for leverage. 

Would Venezuela Invade Guyana?

Negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition produced two preliminary agreements over claims of sovereignty over territory disputed with Guyana and over the recovery of Venezuelan assets frozen abroad, Deutsche Walle reported Sept. 7.

Venezuela: Opposition-Government Talks Produce Preliminary Agreements

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China in Transition

Guyana has nixed an agreement it signed less than a month ago to allow Taiwan to open a trade office in the country shortly after Taiwan publicly announced the office, CNN reported Feb. 4. 

Taiwan: Guyana Scraps Plans for Local Taiwanese Trade Office

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has promised to reconquer the disputed mineral-rich province of Essequibo, which currently makes up two-thirds of western Guyana, in response to joint U.S.-Guyanese naval exercises in the region, Argus Media reported Jan. 11. 

Guyana, Venezuela: Maduro Reignites Claim Over Mineral-Rich Border Region

Security Challenges in Latin America

Guyana’s election commission certified the results of the country’s March 2 general election, validating the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) victory over the incumbent’s Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change Coalition (APNU/AFC), Reuters reported Aug 2. 

Guyana: Election Commission Announces Final Results, New President Sworn In

Guyana’s top court nullified the injunctions awarded by lower courts to block the recount of the country's March 2 general elections, Stabroek News reported April 1.

Guyana: Court Ruling Clears the Way for Election Recount

Preliminary results released by Guyana's elections commission show incumbent David Granger as claiming victory in the country's highly anticipated presidential election, Kaieteur News reported March 6.

Guyana: President's Preliminary Victory Fuels Speculations of Election Rigging

Guyana exported its first shipment of crude oil on Jan. 20, Reuters reported.

Guyana: First-Ever Cargo of Crude Oil Exported

Caracas is planning to remap its offshore oil and gas prospects with new seismic surveys that include areas along the Guyana-Venezuela maritime border, Bloomberg reported Jan. 8.

Venezuela: Caracas Plans Seismic Surveys Along Guyana Maritime Border

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Guyana is a tiny country clinging to the resource-rich northern coast of South America. Culturally, it shares more in common with the nearby Caribbean than with its neighbors Venezuela and Brazil. This is not surprising, since Guyana was controlled by the British from the early 1800s to 1966. Similarly, the Dutch controlled the region east of Guyana, which would later become Suriname, and the French took possession of the area even further east, French Guiana, which remains a French overseas territory to this day.    The vast majority of Guyana's 800,000 inhabitants live near the coast in the capital city of Georgetown. The country's interior is sparsely developed but is rich in minerals and other commodities. Gold and lumber are the major exports from this remote area. But because Guyana has a weak government, much of its commodity trade is carried out illegally, with participants paying no taxes and following no environmental regulations.     Guyana's main political challenge since gaining independence in 1966 has come from abroad, as Venezuela has for decades laid claim to all of Guyana's land west of the Essequibo River &mdash; nearly half the country. No international body legally recognizes Venezuela's claim, but it still threatens Guyana's territory, since illegal miners and loggers continue to cross the border in ever greater numbers as Venezuela's economic crisis worsens.    Offshore, several major oil companies are beginning production. But although Guyana's government revenue will increase, most of the country will not feel the economic benefits of oil, as jobs go primarily to skilled foreigners. 

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Oct. 15, 2021, at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.

SITUATION REPORTS

Venezuela: Opposition-Government Talks Produce Preliminary Agreements

Taiwan: Guyana Scraps Plans for Local Taiwanese Trade Office

Guyana, Venezuela: Maduro Reignites Claim Over Mineral-Rich Border Region

Guyana: Election Commission Announces Final Results, New President Sworn In

Guyana: Court Ruling Clears the Way for Election Recount

Guyana: President's Preliminary Victory Fuels Speculations of Election Rigging

Guyana: First-Ever Cargo of Crude Oil Exported

Venezuela: Caracas Plans Seismic Surveys Along Guyana Maritime Border

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