Protests Grow Over 'Rigged' Election In Guyana

Reuters: Protester killed in Guyana as unrest spreads over vote fraud reports

GEORGETOWN (Reuters) - A protester was shot dead as demonstrators took to the streets in Guyana on Saturday after opposition leaders and international observers accused the government of David Granger of rigging this week’s presidential election.

Diplomats and foreign observers described credible evidence of fraud in the tallying of the results of Monday’s vote, which took place as the poor former British colony ramps up oil production in hopes of transforming its economy.

The unrest threatens to inflame decades of racial tensions between black Guyanese, who broadly support Granger’s APNU-AFC coalition, and Indo-Guyanese, who largely backed Irfaan Ali of opposition party PPP.

Across the South American country, PPP supporters blocked roads, burned tires and clashed with police.

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Update #1: Observers question Guyana vote, urge Granger not to claim victory (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Guyana election: US concerned over 'electoral fraud' (BBC)

WNU Editor: I am very familiar with the country. Have some good friends there, and I have visited the country a few times. I do not need to be there to know that this vote was rigged. The country is racially divided into two groups. The Indo-Guyanese (also known as East Indians), the descendants of laborers from India who make up 45% of the population. And the Afro-Guyanese, the descendants of slaves from Africa, who constitute 30%. The country has for decades been ruled by the minority Afro-Guyanese, and they are not going to give up power. This is naturally causing resentment among the rest of the country. Bottom line. This crisis is not going to end anytime soon.