History of Guyana in Timeline
Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country located on the northern coast of South America. Its capital and largest city is Georgetown. It's bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to the west, and Suriname to the east. Guyana is the third-smallest sovereign state in mainland South America by area and the second-least populous. The official language is English. Guyana possesses high biodiversity and includes a portion of the Amazon rainforest.
1962: Venezuela Resuscitated Claim
In 1962, Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt resuscitated Venezuela's claim to the disputed territory by declaring the 1899 arbitration award null and void.
1966: 1966 Agreement
In 1966, Venezuela argued that an agreement to resolve the dispute effectively nullified the original arbitration.
1966: Treaty of Geneva Signed
In 1966, the Treaty of Geneva was signed by the Governments of Guyana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela due to Venezuela's complaint.
1967: Surinamese Survey Team Removed
In 1967, a Surinamese survey team was found in the New River Triangle and was forcibly removed.
August 1969: Guyana Defence Force Patrol
In August 1969, a patrol of the Guyana Defence Force found a survey camp and a partially completed airstrip inside the New River Triangle, documenting evidence of the Surinamese intention to occupy the entire disputed area.
1991: Entry into Organisation of American States
In 1991, Guyana entered the Organisation of American States.
1991: Qualified for Caribbean Cup
In 1991, Guyana's national football team qualified for the Caribbean Cup, finishing fourth.
July 1992: Tax Information Exchange Agreement Signed
On 22 July 1992, Guyana signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States in Georgetown, intending to exchange tax information on an automatic basis.
August 1994: Double Taxation Relief Treaty Signed
On 19 August 1994, at a CARICOM Meeting, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana respectively signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994.
2003: Public Procurement Commission Act 2003
In 2003, the Public Procurement Commission Act was established to oversee public procurement in Guyana.
September 2007: UN Convention on Law of the Sea Ruling
On 21 September 2007, the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea announced a ruling concerning the maritime component of the territorial dispute with Suriname, finding both parties violated treaty obligations.
2007: Cricket World Cup
In 2007 Guyana played host to international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC 2007).
2007: Qualified for Caribbean Cup
In 2007, Guyana's national football team qualified for the Caribbean Cup.
June 2014: Guyana Signed FATCA Agreement
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).
2015: David A. Granger Presidency
From 2015 to 2020, President David A. Granger expressed support for efforts to alter laws against homosexual acts.
2016: Appointment of Public Procurement Commission
In 2016, the Public Procurement Commission was appointed after a lengthy delay in identifying and agreeing on commission members.
2018: Guyana Appealed to ICJ
In 2018, after years of fruitless mediation, Guyana went to the International Court of Justice, asking judges to rule that the 1899 border decision is valid and binding.
2018: Cross-dressing Legalized
In 2018, cross-dressing was legalized in Guyana when a ban was struck down by the Caribbean Court of Justice.
2019: South American Beach Games
In 2019, Guyana featured a beach volleyball team at the South American Beach Games.
2019: Qualified for CONCACAF Gold Cup
In 2019, Guyana qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, after finishing seventh in the qualifiers.
2020: David A. Granger Presidency
From 2015 to 2020, President David A. Granger expressed support for efforts to alter laws against homosexual acts.
December 2023: Venezuela's Referendum on Essequibo
In December 2023, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro convoked a referendum to ask Venezuelan electors five questions, including whether to create a Venezuelan state in Essequibo and whether voters support granting Venezuelan citizenship to the region's current and future residents.
December 2023: Referendum in Venezuela
In December 2023, a referendum was held in Venezuela which saw 95% of voters approve creating a new state in the disputed area with Guyana's President Irfaan Ali calling it a direct threat on the nation's sovereignty.
