History of Guyana in Timeline

Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a developing South American nation situated on the continent's northern coast. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela, it forms part of The Guianas. Georgetown serves as both its capital and largest urban center.

1912: Inspiration for "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 1912 novel "The Lost World".

1917: End of the indentured contracts system

In 1917, the system of indentured contracts ended.

1962: Venezuela resuscitated claim to the disputed territory

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

1964: First Internationally Recognized Free Election

The first Guyanese election since 1964 was internationally recognized as free and fair, leading to Cheddi Jagan's election as president.

May 1966: Independence from the United Kingdom

On 26 May 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, which has been under occupation ever since.

1966: Gained Independence

In 1966, Guyana gained independence from British control.

1966: Treaty of Geneva of 1966 signed

In 1966, the Governments of Guyana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed the Treaty of Geneva of 1966, following Venezuela's claim to the disputed territory.

1966: 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 found in Tigri Area

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

August 1969: Guyana Defence Force finds survey camp in Tigri Area

In August 1969, a patrol of the Guyana Defence Force discovered a Surinamese survey camp and a partially completed airstrip inside the Tigri Area, leading to an exchange of gunfire and the Surinamese being driven from the triangle.

February 1970: Became a Republic

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

1970: Became a Republic

In 1970, Guyana officially became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.

1975: Elected to the UN Security Council

Guyana was elected as a member of the UN Security Council in 1975–76.

1978: Jonestown Mass Murder-Suicide

In 1978, 918 people died at the Jonestown mass murder-suicide led by Jim Jones.

1982: Elected to the UN Security Council

Guyana was elected as a member of the UN Security Council in 1982–83.

1989: Conservation International Started Working in Guyana

Since 1989, Conservation International has worked in Guyana through its country programme Conservation International Guyana (CI-Guyana).

1990: Literacy rate

In 1990, Guyana's estimated literacy rate was 96%.

1990: Start of Forest Area Loss Measurement

In 1990-2000, the rate of net forest area loss was 3 790 ha per year.

1991: Guyana entered the Organisation of American States

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

1991: Guyana qualified for the Caribbean Cup

In 1991, Guyana qualified for the Caribbean Cup, finishing fourth.

July 1992: Tax Information Exchange Agreement signed in Georgetown, Guyana

On July 22, 1992, a Tax Information Exchange Agreement was signed in Georgetown, Guyana, intending to exchange tax information on an automatic basis.

October 1992: Election of Cheddi Jagan

On 5 October 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. Cheddi Jagan of the PPP was elected and sworn in as president on 9 October 1992.

1992: Constitutional Elections Overseen by Jimmy Carter

In 1992, the first constitutional elections were overseen by former United States president Jimmy Carter, and the People's Progressive Party led the country until 2015.

August 1994: The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 signed

On August 19, 1994, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 at a CARICOM Meeting.

1999: Guyanese economy rebounded slightly

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

1999: Identification of Potential Hotspots

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

2000: End of Forest Area Loss Measurement

In 1990-2000, the rate of net forest area loss was 3 790 ha per year.

2002: Ethnic Groups

According to the 2002 census, the largest ethnic group is the Indo-Guyanese, making up 43.5% of the population.

2003: Guyana qualified for US$329 million of debt relief

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 to oversee public procurement in Guyana.

February 2004: Konashen Community-Owned Conservation Area

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: Debt Relief Initiative

In 2006, the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative wrote off about US$611 million of Guyana's debt.

September 2007: Ruling on Maritime Dispute with Suriname

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

2007: Guyana played host to international cricket matches

Guyana played host to international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. 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: Guyana qualified for the Caribbean Cup

In 2007, Guyana qualified for the Caribbean Cup.

2007: US$15 million was written off by China

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

2007: Major overhaul of the tax code

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

May 2008: Signatory to UNASUR Treaty

In May 2008, President Bharrat Jagdeo signed the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty of the Union of South American Nations.

2008: Joined the Union of South American Nations

In 2008, Guyana joined the Union of South American Nations as a founding member.

2008: Guyana's economy witnessed a 3% increase in growth

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

2008: US$12.5 million was cancelled by Venezuela

In 2008, Venezuela cancelled US$12.5 million.

2008: BBC Broadcast

In 2008, the BBC broadcast a three-part programme called "Lost Land of the Jaguar" which highlighted the huge diversity of wildlife in Guyana.

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2009: Collaboration with Norway

Since 2009, Guyana and Norway have collaborated to promote green development in Guyana and aim to reduce deforestation.

2010: Texila American University founded

In 2010, Texila American University was founded, offering medical and health sciences programs.

2010: Ratification of UNASUR Treaty

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

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: Estimated HIV prevalence

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

2011: Guyana's economy grew

In 2011, Guyana's economy grew 5.4%.

2012: Religious groups

In 2012 the population was 64% Christian, 25% Hindu, 7% Muslim, 3% irreligious and 1% of other faiths.

2012: Guyana's economy grew

In 2012, Guyana's economy grew 3.7%.

2012: Statistics used by PAHO/WHO Global Health Report 2014

The PAHO/WHO Global Health Report 2014 used the statistics of 2012 to rank Guyana.

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

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

2014: Guyana had the highest suicide rate in the world

According to the PAHO/WHO Global Health Report 2014, using 2012 statistics, Guyana was ranked as having the highest suicide rate in the world, with a mortality rate of 44.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

2014: Literacy is 96.7 in the 15–24 year old age group

In 2014, UNESCO estimated the literacy rate to be 96.7 in the 15–24 year old age group.

May 2015: General Elections and New President

On 11 May 2015, early general elections were held. On 16 May 2015, David A. Granger became the eighth president of Guyana.

2015: End of People's Progressive Party Leadership

In 1992, the first constitutional elections were overseen by former United States president Jimmy Carter, and the People's Progressive Party led the country until 2015.

2015: Discovery of Crude Oil

In 2015, Guyana's economy began transforming due to the discovery of crude oil.

2015: Guyana's gold production

In 2015, Guyana's gold production was 14 tonnes.

2015: Oil Reserves Discovery

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

2015: Start of Forest Area Loss Measurement

In 2015-2025, the rate of net forest area loss more than doubled, from 3 790 ha per year in 1990–2000 to 8 420 ha per year.

2015: President David A. Granger takes office

President David A. Granger assumed office in 2015 and served until 2020, expressing support for efforts to alter laws.

2016: Appointment of the Public Procurement Commission

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

2017: Poverty Line Statistics

In 2017, 41% of the population of Guyana lived below the poverty line.

December 2018: Vote of Confidence Called

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

2018: Vote of No Confidence

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

2018: Guyana went to the International Court of Justice

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

2018: Cross-dressing legalised

In 2018, cross-dressing was legalized in Guyana when a ban was struck down by the Caribbean Court of Justice.

2019: Commercial Drilling Began

Commercial drilling in Guyana began in 2019.

2019: Guyana featured a beach volleyball team at the 2019 South American Beach Games

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

2019: Guyana qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2019, Guyana qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time.

March 2020: Loss of Snap Elections

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

March 2020: New Elections Held

New elections were held on 2 March 2020, and results were declared on 3 August 2020, with the People's Progressive Party/Civic as the winner.

August 2020: Mohamed Irfaan Ali Became President

On 3 August 2020, Mohamed Irfaan Ali became the ninth president of Guyana.

2020: Life Expectancy

As of 2020, the estimated life expectancy at birth is 69.5 years.

2020: GDP grew sharply through the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020

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

2020: Economic Growth

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

2020: IMF projected economic growth

In 2020, IMF projected economic growth to be 53% following the completion of the first off-shore oil project. Actual growth in GDP in 2020 was 43%.

2020: President David A. Granger finishes term

President David A. Granger finished his term in 2020 after serving since 2015 and expressing support for efforts to alter laws.

April 2021: Reports anticipate 20% growth for 2021

Reports in April 2021 anticipate 20% growth for 2021.

December 2023: Venezuelan Referendum on Essequibo

In December 2023, Venezuela's president convoked a referendum to ask Venezuelan electors questions about creating a Venezuelan state in Essequibo.

December 2023: Referendum held in Venezuela over disputed area

In December 2023, a referendum was held in Venezuela, with 95% of voters approving the creation of a new state in the disputed area. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali called it a direct threat to the nation's sovereignty. The US Southern Command also held air exercises with Guyana Defence Forces in Guyana in December 2023.

2023: World Bank on Poverty and Growth Management

According to the World Bank in 2023, abject poverty still exists in Guyana, and the country faces significant risks in structurally managing its growth.

December 2024: Guyana projected as third largest per capita petroleum producer

In December 2024, Guyana was projected as the third largest per capita petroleum producing country in the world.

2024: Elected to the UN Security Council

Guyana was elected as a member of the UN Security Council in 2024–25.

September 2025: Re-election of Irfaan Ali

In September 2025, Irfaan Ali was re-elected for a second term as Guyana’s president.

2025: Projected Oil Production

By 2025, Guyana is projected to become one of the world's largest per capita oil producers.

2025: End of Forest Area Loss Measurement