History of Guyana in Timeline

Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a South American nation located on the continent's northern coast. Its capital and largest city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to the west, and Suriname to the east, and forms a part of the region known as The Guianas.

1912: Publication of The Lost World

In 1912, Mount Roraima and Guyana's table-top mountains (tepuis) are said to have been the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Lost World".

1917: End of Indenture Contracts

In 1917, the system of Indian indenture contracts came to an end.

1962: Venezuela's Claim to Disputed Territory

In 1962, Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt declared the 1899 arbitration award null and void, reviving Venezuela's claim to the disputed territory.

1964: Guyanese election

The Guyanese election since 1964 to be internationally recognised as free and fair, occurred in October 1992.

May 1966: Independence from the United Kingdom

On May 26, 1966, Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom as a dominion.

October 1966: Venezuelan troops seized Ankoko Island

In October 1966, five months after Guyana's independence, Venezuelan troops crossed the international border and seized Ankoko Island.

1966: Independence gained

In 1966, Guyana gained independence, marking the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of its journey as a sovereign nation.

1966: Treaty of Geneva Signed

In 1966, The Governments of Guyana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed the Treaty of Geneva regarding the disputed territory.

1966: Agreement to resolve the dispute

Venezuela argues that a 1966 agreement to resolve the dispute effectively nullified the original arbitration.

1967: Surinamese Survey Team Removed from Tigri Area

In 1967, a Surinamese survey team was found in the Tigri Area and forcibly removed.

August 1969: Guyana Defence Force Action in Tigri Area

In August 1969, a patrol of the Guyana Defence Force discovered a survey camp and a partially constructed airstrip within the Tigri Area, documenting Surinamese intentions to occupy the disputed area. After a gunfire exchange, the Surinamese were driven from the triangle.

February 1970: Republic

On February 23, 1970, Guyana became a republic, remaining a member of the Commonwealth.

1970: Republic within the Commonwealth of Nations

In 1970, Guyana officially became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, solidifying its status as an independent nation.

1975: Elected as a member of the UN Security Council

Guyana was elected as a member of the UN Security Council in 1975.

1978: Jonestown mass murder-suicide

In 1978, a total of 918 people died at the Jonestown mass murder-suicide led by American cult leader Jim Jones at a remote settlement in northwest Guyana.

1982: Elected as a member of the UN Security Council

Guyana was elected as a member of the UN Security Council in 1982.

1989: Conservation International started work

Since 1989, Conservation International has worked in Guyana through its country programme Conservation International Guyana (CI-Guyana), with offices in Georgetown and Lethem.

1990: Literacy Rate in 1990

Guyana's estimated literacy rate was 96% in 1990, making it one of the highest in the Caribbean.

1991: Guyana Joins Organisation of American States

In 1991, Guyana became a member of the Organisation of American States.

1991: Caribbean Cup Qualification

In 1991, Guyana's national football team qualified for the Caribbean Cup, finishing fourth.

July 1992: Tax Information Exchange Agreement signed in Georgetown

On 22 July 1992, Guyana signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States of America intending to exchange tax information on an automatic basis.

October 1992: Election of Cheddi Jagan as President

On October 5, 1992, a new National Assembly and regional councils were elected in the first Guyanese election since 1964 to be internationally recognised as free and fair and Cheddi Jagan of the PPP was elected and sworn in as president on 9 October 1992.

1992: First constitutional elections

In 1992, the first constitutional elections were overseen by former United States president Jimmy Carter.

August 1994: Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty Signed

In August 1994, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 at a CARICOM Meeting.

1999: Economic Rebound After 1999

After 1999, the Guyanese economy rebounded slightly and exhibited moderate economic growth.

1999: Identified areas for a National Protected Area System

In 1999, 14 areas were identified as potential hotspots for a National Protected Area System due to their biodiversity.

2002: Census Data on Ethnic Groups

According to the 2002 census, the Indo-Guyanese make up 43.5% of the population, followed by the Afro-Guyanese at 30.2% and Guyanese of mixed heritage at 16.7%.

2003: Debt Relief Qualified for in 2003

In 2003 Guyana qualified for US$329 million of debt relief.

2003: Public Procurement Commission Act

The Public Procurement Commission Act was enacted in 2003.

February 2004: Government issued land title in Konashen Indigenous District

In February 2004, the Government of Guyana issued a title to more than 4,000 km of land in the Konashen Indigenous District as the Kanashen Community-Owned Conservation Area.

2006: Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2006/7

In 2006, the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative wrote off about US$611 million of Guyana's debt by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. In 2006, Japan finalised its bilateral debt cancellation agreement

September 2007: UN Convention on Law of the Sea ruling

On 21 September 2007, a ruling concerning the Caribbean Sea north of both Guyana and Suriname found both parties violated treaty obligations and declined to order any compensation to either party.

2007: Guyana Hosts Cricket World Cup Matches

Guyana hosted international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The new 15,000-seat Providence Stadium was ready for play on 28 March. At the first international game of CWC 2007 at the stadium, Lasith Malinga of the Sri Lankan team took four wickets in four consecutive deliveries.

2007: Caribbean Cup Qualification in 2007

In 2007, Guyana's national football team qualified for the Caribbean Cup.

2007: US$15 million Written off by China in 2007

In 2007, US$15 million was written off by China.

2007: Major Overhaul of Tax Code

In early 2007, the Guyanese government initiated a major overhaul of the tax code, replacing six different taxes with a Value Added Tax (VAT).

May 2008: Signatory to the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty

In May 2008, President Bharrat Jagdeo was a signatory to the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty of the Union of South American Nations.

2008: Country joined the Union of South American Nations

In 2008, Guyana joined the Union of South American Nations as a founding member, marking its integration into the South American political landscape.

2008: Economic Growth Amid Financial Crisis

In 2008, Guyana's economy experienced a 3% increase in growth despite the 2008 financial crisis.

2008: Venezuela Cancels Debt in 2008

In 2008, Venezuela cancelled US$12.5 million of debt.

2008: BBC broadcast Lost Land of the Jaguar

In 2008, the BBC broadcast a three-part programme called Lost Land of the Jaguar which highlighted the huge diversity of wildlife, including undiscovered species and rare species such as the giant otter and harpy eagle.

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2009: Collaboration with Norway to promote green development

Since 2009, Guyana and Norway have collaborated to promote green development in Guyana while keeping deforestation at low levels.

2010: Ratification of the treaty

In 2010, The Guyanese government officially ratified the UNASUR treaty.

2010: Texila American University Founded

Texila American University, which offers medical and health sciences programs, was founded in 2010.

November 2011: General election

In the general election held on 28 November 2011, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) retained a majority, and their presidential candidate Donald Ramotar was elected as president.

2011: HIV Prevalence in 2011

According to 2011 estimates from the WHO, HIV prevalence is 1.2% of the teen/adult population (ages 15–49).

2011: Economic Growth in 2011

In 2011, Guyana's economy grew by 5.4%.

2012: Economic Growth in 2012

In 2012, Guyana's economy grew by 3.7%.

2012: Religious Affiliations in 2012

In 2012, the religious affiliations of the Guyanese population were reported as 64% Christian, 25% Hindu, 7% Muslim, 3% irreligious, and 1% of other faiths.

2012: PAHO/WHO Global Health Report

The PAHO/WHO Global Health Report 2014 used statistics of 2012.

June 2014: Guyana signs FATCA Model 1 agreement with United States of America

On 30 June 2014, Guyana signed a Model 1 agreement with the United States of America in relation to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

2014: UNESCO Literacy Estimate

In a 2014 UNESCO estimate, literacy is 96.7% in the 15–24 year old age group.

2014: Highest Suicide Rate in the World in 2014

The PAHO/WHO Global Health Report 2014 ranked Guyana as having the highest suicide rate in the world, with a mortality rate of 44.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

May 2015: Early general elections

On 11 May 2015, early general elections were held which resulted in the retired army general David A. Granger becoming the eighth president of Guyana on 16 May 2015.

2015: Guyana's Gold Production

Guyana's gold production in 2015 reached 14 tonnes (14 long tons; 15 short tons).

2015: People's Progressive Party led the country

In 1992, the People's Progressive Party led the country until 2015.

2015: President Granger Expresses Support for Efforts

In 2015, President David A. Granger expressed support for efforts to alter laws regarding homosexuality.

2015: Discovery of major oil reserves

In 2015, major oil reserves were discovered off the coast of Guyana by ExxonMobil.

2015: Discovery of crude oil

In 2015, the discovery of crude oil marked the beginning of a transformation in Guyana's economy.

2016: Appointment of the commission

Due to lengthy delay in identifying and agreeing commission members, the Public Procurement Commission was not appointed until 2016.

2017: Poverty line

In 2017, 41% of Guyana's population lived below the poverty line, highlighting the country's economic challenges.

December 2018: Vote of confidence

On 21 December 2018, a vote of confidence was called for, regarding terms under which the government granted a franchise for offshore oil exploration, but the vote failed.

2018: Guyana went to the International Court of Justice

After years of fruitless mediation, Guyana went to the International Court of Justice in 2018, asking judges to rule that the 1899 border decision by an international panel of arbiters is valid and binding.

2018: Government Loss of Vote of No Confidence

In 2018, Granger's government lost a vote of no confidence.

2018: Cross-dressing Legalized

In 2018, a ban on cross-dressing was struck down by Guyana's court of last resort, the Caribbean Court of Justice.

2019: Commercial drilling

Commercial drilling began in Guyana in 2019, further accelerating economic transformation.

2019: Beach Volleyball at South American Beach Games

In 2019, Guyana featured a beach volleyball team at the South American Beach Games.

2019: CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification

In 2019, Guyana qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, finishing third in Group D.

2019: Start of Oil Drilling Impacts GDP

In 2019, the discovery of major crude oil reserves off the Atlantic coast began to have a large effect on Guyana's GDP as drilling commenced.

March 2020: President loses election

In March 2020, President David A. Granger narrowly lost the snap elections.

March 2020: New elections

New elections were held on 2 March 2020.

August 2020: Results declared

Results for the new elections that were held on March 2, 2020, were declared on 3 August 2020, with the People's Progressive Party/Civic as the winner and Mohamed Irfaan Ali becoming the ninth president of Guyana.

2020: Life Expectancy in 2020

As of 2020, life expectancy at birth in Guyana is estimated to be 69.5 years.

2020: President Granger in office

From 2015 to 2020, David A. Granger served as President.

2020: GDP Growth During Pandemic

In 2020, Guyana's GDP grew sharply (43%) despite the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to the oil sector.

2020: Economy growth

In 2020, Guyana's economy grew by 49%, making it the world's fastest-growing economy by some accounts.

April 2021: Economic Growth Anticipated for 2021

Reports in April 2021 anticipated 20% economic growth for 2021.

December 2023: Referendum in Venezuela and International Response

In December 2023, Venezuela held a referendum where 95% of voters approved creating a new state in the disputed area. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali condemned it as a threat to the nation's sovereignty. The US and Brazil signaled support for Guyana, with the US Southern Command conducting air exercises with the Guyana Defence Forces, and Brazil sending troops to the border with the Essequibo region.

December 2023: Venezuelan referendum on annexation of Essequibo region

In December 2023, a referendum was held in Venezuela on the annexation of the disputed Essequibo region, which lies entirely within Guyana.

December 2023: Venezuelan referendum on Essequibo region

On Sunday, 3 December 2023, Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, convoked a referendum to ask Venezuelan electors five questions about the Essequibo region.