Security & Strategic Review - December 2023

Race is never far from the surface in Guyanese politics, where the ruling People’s Progressive Party-Civic (PPP-C) is generally supported by the country’s Indian-origin population (37% of the total) while the opposition A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (Apnu-AFC) generally draws its support from the country’s African-origin population (34%). A visit to Guyana from 13-19 November by a 14-member US delegation to investigate alleged discrimination against Afro-Guyanese by the PPP/C administration has once again stirred racial animosities and sparked accusations that the opposition is recklessly undermining national unity at a time of external threat.