US sanctions Guyana officials over stalled handover

The US today imposed sanctions on Guyanese officials it blames for resisting a handover of power to the political opposition following a vote recount from 2 March parliamentary elections.

The unnamed targeted individuals are "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy" in Guyana, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said today.

The sanctions include the revoking of visas of government officials and could be applied to members of their families, Pompeo added.

The US action followed a move by the ruling PNC-led coalition to seek a local court injunction on the declaration of the winner of the elections.

The move is "a delaying tactic" as the country's final court – the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain – ruled last week that the result should be declared based on a recount of votes agreed by President David Granger and opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo, the opposition PPP party told Argus today.

At the center of the stalemate – and among the likely targets of the new US sanctions – is chief elections officer Keith Lowenfield who has tried to use the results of the original vote count which gave the ruling coalition a victory. The recount determined that the PPP won.

Others likely subject to US sanctions include government ministers and government-appointed members of the elections commission.

"The Granger Government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside," Pompeo said.

Guyana's government has not yet commented publicly on the US move. Guyana's prime minister Moses Nagamootoo last month accused the US of "interference" in Guyana's domestic affairs.

But Granger said on 27 June that the US is "a friend of Guyana" and that both countries have "very cordial relations with the US in defense, economy and security."

The incumbent coalition has overseen the development of Guyana's oil sector, led by ExxonMobil that started production from the deepwater Stabroek field in December 2019. Current output of around 80,000 b/d is projected to hit 750,000 b/d by 2020.

The PPP says it would adjust contract terms such as royalties for companies given licenses after ExxonMobil's to obtain more favorable terms for the country.

By Canute James