The New York-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) issued a travel advisory for Guyana on March 3, 2023, which has sparked controversy and drawn the ire of Guyana’s Attorney General Anil Nandlall. The advisory warns tourists and potential investors of the political climate, crime, and safety risks in the country. CGID member Rickford Burke is at the center of the controversy, and the Attorney General has labeled him a “notorious United States-based Guyanese” with a “sinister agenda.”
In the advisory, CGID states that Guyana is currently experiencing “heightened political instability and political violence carried out by government operatives who are extremists, East Indian supporters, and loyal security forces, engaged in a civil war with the African Guyanese population and opposition supporters.” It further alleges that the government is “being accused of conducting the civil war to divide Guyana along racial lines to secure all of Guyana’s natural resources and national patrimony for its East Indian supporters only.” It should be noted that the CGID advisory also quoted from the US State Department travel advisory.
In response to the advisory, Attorney General Nandlall issued a statement rejecting its claims as “false, malicious and indeed ludicrous.” He accused CGID and Burke of promoting “racial hostilities” and “instigating ethnic strife, violence and consequential public disorder”, however the AG did not speak directly to the substance of each of the claims made in the advisory released by the CGID organization.
Burke and CGID have fired back at the Attorney General’s statement. In a press release, CGID noted that the advisory was based on numerous complaints about criminal acts and political violence in Guyana. They stated that recent news articles reporting multiple attacks on foreign visitors in the Kaieteur newspaper confirmed the validity of their claims. CGID also stood by its advisory and accused the PPP government of trying to bully and control its expressed opinions.
Burke has refused to back down after being personally attacked by the Attorney General’s statement. He dismissed the allegations against him as “fabricated” and accused the government of trying to silence him. In a statement, Burke made it clear that he and his organization, CGID, will not be intimidated or silenced by the government’s tactics. He said, “We will continue our strong advocacy against PPP corruption, racism, and oppression of African Guyanese.” It is worth recalling that the Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, had issued a warning that local individuals or groups who cause harm to Rickford Burke would be held accountable in the United States.
The controversy surrounding the travel advisory and Burke’s advocacy highlights the ongoing political tensions in Guyana which continue to impact investor and tourist confidence. As the country struggles to address its issues with crime, corruption, and racial divisions, the battle between government officials and vocal critics like Burke shows no signs of abating.
