Criminal Networks Thrive in Guyana with Help from Corrupt Officials

A sprawling criminal underworld has taken root in Guyana, with networks of corrupt officials, high-level political and corporate actors, and foreign organizations all playing a role in the country’s thriving illegal economy.

The Scope of the Problem

• The porous borders with Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil have allowed international criminal groups to dominate various criminal markets, including:
  • Human trafficking
  • Smuggling (including illegal gold mining)
  • Arms and drug trafficking
• Venezuelan gangs have even attacked Guyanese miners on the Cuyuni River, while sindicatos and guerrilla gangs have targeted vessels of the Guyanese Police Force.

Corrupt Officials

• Evidence suggests that corrupt officials from the highest levels of government are involved in illicit economies.
• Corporate actors complain about favoritism towards their competitors, who allegedly provide favors to government officials.
• Law enforcement officers are highly corrupt, with reports of extortion and bribery rampant throughout the ranks.

Political Involvement

• The country’s political parties and leaders have a history of using criminal gangs to foster upheavals and even ethnic conflicts.
• Mining, forestry, and agricultural companies play a role in the demand side of human trafficking and smuggling trade.
• Some reports suggest that Italian mafia organizations are using Guyana’s financial system to launder hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

Government Efforts

• The government has made some progress in strengthening controls against money laundering, but the discovery of rich oil and natural gas reserves presents new challenges for the country.
• Despite attempts to reform bureaucratic procedures, red tape remains a major challenge in Guyana.
• Refugees, particularly victims of gender-based violence and sex trafficking, are not being adequately addressed.

Civil Society Response

• Civil society organizations provide drug rehabilitation services and advocate for police reform and against human rights abuses.
• Low levels of governance and human development have resulted in low levels of participation and activism.
• Freedom of the press is generally respected, but there have been instances of government officials filing defamation cases and threatening journalists.

Recommendations

• More needs to be done to address the root causes of these criminal activities and to protect vulnerable populations.
• Repatriation of sex trafficking victims from other countries is a positive step, but more efforts are needed to prevent human trafficking through anti-trafficking initiatives and awareness campaigns.