Post-election rioting erupts in Guyana

For the second straight day protestors in Guyana have taken to the streets of Georgetown. Supporters of the defeated People’s National Congress today defied a government ban on public demonstrations and their parade was forcibly broken up by police using teargas. There were also reports of looting and vandalism in the capital. Newly elected President, Janet Jagan, last night told Caribbean Newsline in a phone interview that despite the troubles order will soon prevail.

Janet Jagan, President of Guyana

“No, it is not; it is not a state of emergency. It’s merely an order being issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to make it illegal for assembling meetings and marches. It is a pity of course that the losing P.N.C. has resorted to this type of behaviour to intimidate the whole nation. They are trying to intimidate our society because they’ve lost the elections. It’s a pity but let’s put it this way, in the long run law and order will prevail and those who are maliciously creating these disorders will have to pay the price.”

A CARICOM mediation team arrives in the country tomorrow to try to calm the dispute. Tight security is expected.