People

Guyana remains both a source and destination country for human trafficking. Migrants, women, children and minority communities are most at risk, exploited in sectors like mining, agriculture and household services. Labour trafficking of adult men surged over the reporting period, with foreign nationals comprising most victims. Traffickers include predominantly Guyanese men, as well as Venezuelans linked to mafia groups known as sindicatos, who reportedly traffic members of the Warao indigenous community into Guyana. Some traffickers use social media to recruit victims for farm, mining and service jobs. Trafficking routes often link Guyana to the United States as well as other South American countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Suriname and Venezuela.

Guyana, positioned as a transit country due to its porous borders, faces a consolidated human smuggling market, primarily involving the smuggling of Venezuelan and Haitian nationals. The smuggling of Venezuelans into the country remains reportedly under-documented, which impedes effective interventions. Guyana has also seen an influx of Haitians under Caribbean Community (CARICOM) agreements, complicating efforts to distinguish between legal and smuggled entries.

Guyana hosts a prominent extortion market concentrated along the Cuyuni River, influenced by its proximity to the disputed Essequibo region, claimed by Venezuela. Criminal groups, including Venezuelan soldiers, sindicatos and guerrilla gangs, dominate the area. Goods like fuel, commodities, money and gold are frequently confiscated or extorted as ‘taxes’ at river checkpoints, particularly by Venezuelan criminal elements. This extortion activity is substantial, driven by cross-border dynamics and the contested territorial status, making the area a focal point for criminal exploitation and illicit revenue generation.

Trade

Guyana functions as a transit hub for arms trafficking, with weapons predominantly originating from Brazil and the United States. The country’s largely unregulated borders with Brazil and Venezuela exacerbate detection challenges. Despite a recent year-on-year decrease in gun seizures, there is no indication of a reduction in illegal firearms circulating in the country. Foreign organized armed groups, primarily from Venezuela, Brazil and the United States, collaborate with local gangs to facilitate arms transit and use. Guyana’s designation as a high-risk country for arms trafficking has prompted stricter US export regulations. However, CARICOM is critical of continued illegal firearm flows and has called for stronger US intervention.

Guyana’s counterfeit goods market, encompassing products like household items, cosmetics, medicines and electronics, both online and in person, remains both notable and under-reported. Despite the absence of concrete data on market size and value, counterfeit items have been frequently identified. The proliferation of such goods indicates a rising problem for the private sector, which lacks sufficient capacity to effectively address it.

Guyana functions as a destination and transit country for illicit excise goods, particularly tobacco and alcohol, though data on the frequency and volume of this trade is lacking. Although the illicit cigarette market has expanded, its economic impact is not substantial. This surge, however, does highlight the economic challenges posed by contraband trade and suggests an increase in cross-border smuggling activities. External regional dynamics probably contribute to the flow of illicit goods, complicating enforcement and revenue protection efforts.

Environment

Guyana remains relatively protected from deforestation, compared to neighbouring countries, but faces growing threats from illegal logging. High-value hardwoods like greenheart and purpleheart are heavily targeted, with nearly one-third of harvested timber sourced illegally, driven by foreign demand. Recent oil-driven economic expansion has intensified land-clearing and diverted government attention from forest conservation, while insufficient timber-verification systems allow illegally harvested wood to infiltrate domestic and international markets, undermining local communities and legitimate forestry efforts.

Guyana has an established but small-scale illicit wildlife trade, facilitated by its territorial distribution. The country primarily functions as a source of trafficked wildlife, with species such as parrots, macaws, reptiles and jaguars smuggled to destinations including Mexico, the United States and Singapore. The poaching of tapirs, jaguars and agoutis is also prevalent. Ambiguities in the legal framework for the trade of wild meat and wildlife exports blur the distinction between legal and illegal activities. Guyana is also highly vulnerable to illegal fishing, with arapaima being particularly targeted. Regional factors influence illicit fishing activities, which often involve foreign perpetrators.

Guyana functions as both a source and transit country for illicit gold and mercury trafficking, driven by a combination of legal and illegal mining operations, as well as inadequately regulated gold-trading practices. Recent cases involving the participation of state officials and financial elites in the illicit gold trade underscore the entrenched nature of this market and its strong links to corruption. Although not a primary destination for Venezuelan gold, Guyana is part of smuggling routes to Europe, with transit frequently occurring through Panama or Suriname. Following the introduction of restrictions on artisanal gold mining in certain Brazilian territories, particularly those inhabited by indigenous communities, thousands of miners have reportedly crossed into neighbouring Guyana to continue mining, especially in the Marudi Mountain region and other areas near the border. Cross-border smuggling of gold between Guyana and Brazil has also been reported, with gold flowing in both directions. There are also allegations of mercury smuggling into Guyana by foreign criminal groups, reportedly for use in illicit mining operations, while some local entities are believed to be exporting mercury to other parts of the Caribbean. A decline in legal mercury imports has further contributed to the growth of the illicit mercury trade. Meanwhile, the country’s rapidly expanding oil sector has attracted growing investor interest, raising concerns about vulnerabilities to money laundering and other forms of financial misconduct.

Drugs

Heroin trafficking in Guyana has persisted, with the country serving as both a transit and consumer market. Increased heroin stockpiles and domestic use suggest that established cocaine smuggling routes are being repurposed for heroin, primarily passing through Venezuela and Brazil before reaching Suriname for further trans-shipment to Europe and the United States. Despite this growth, heroin seizures remain minimal.

Guyana continues to serve as a major cocaine transit hub, leveraging its strategic location in the Amazon Basin. Cocaine produced in Colombia is typically smuggled through Venezuela to Guyana, then onward to Suriname and French territories before reaching Europe and other destinations. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in cocaine seizures, including an unprecedented 4.4 tonnes of cocaine at an illegal airstrip close to the Venezuelan border. The haul highlighted Guyana’s ongoing role as a transit country, as well as the continued use of illegal airstrips by drug traffickers across the country. Drug trafficking is closely linked to financial crimes, particularly money laundering, with other offences like tax evasion and human trafficking also contributing to the criminal landscape.

The country is also a transit point for cannabis smuggling, due to its porous borders and international shipping access. Cannabis trafficking has increased, with law enforcement reporting multiple seizures and the discovery of cannabis farms, indicating established cultivation. Authorities have also been implicated in the market, including military and police personnel arrested for cannabis possession during intelligence-led operations. Ambiguity in the market persists, as limited personal possession is decriminalized and hemp production is legal under licence, creating challenges in distinguishing illicit from legal activities. Nevertheless, the cannabis market remains relatively small compared to other countries in the region.

Guyana’s synthetic drug market remains limited, with illicit trade and trafficking occurring primarily through borders with Suriname and Brazil, facilitated by both local and foreign criminal networks. Recent seizures include ecstasy and methamphetamine, with reports indicating a rise in synthetic drug use among school populations.

Cyber Crimes

Guyana has experienced a rise in cyber-dependent crimes, including ransomware attacks and malware infections, reflecting the increasing vulnerability of its digital infrastructure amid economic expansion. Despite rising risks, cyber-attack reporting remains limited.

Financial Crimes

Guyana has an established financial crimes market involving both private and public actors, with prevalent offences including Ponzi schemes, procurement fraud and wire-transfer fraud. The financial intelligence unit reported that fraud remains pervasive in the country, with investment, romance and general fraud particularly prominent. Victims of a previously exposed Ponzi scheme continue to come forward, amid indications that new actors may have assumed control of the scheme. Emerging typologies, such as business email compromise schemes targeting the private sector, have also been identified – including a case in which an oil and gas company reportedly lost millions through compromised emails and fraudulent wire transfers. Financial crimes are often linked to both domestic and international factors, including cross-border financial activities and the involvement of international financial institutions. Public corruption related to financial crimes is under-reported and frequently met with official indifference.

Criminal Actors

Organized crime in Guyana is characterized by fluid and decentralized criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, arms and wildlife trafficking and illicit mining. These networks, supported by corrupt officials and high-level actors, often collaborate with foreign groups from Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil, utilizing transnational contraband routes. The state’s inability to enforce laws along border regions enables criminal dominance, particularly in drug trafficking and illicit mining. While these groups generally avoid attention and violence, some exceptions exist, especially in border areas. These local gangs lack clear identities, codes or rituals, instead forming around a local leader with a few subordinates. As a result, affiliations and alliances shift frequently. They engage in common crimes like robbery and opportunistic offences, alongside small-scale drug and arms trafficking and micro-trafficking, sometimes supporting larger organizations by providing security for shipments or moving drugs locally. There is limited evidence of the presence of domestic mafia-style groups. Nevertheless, Guyanese crime bosses have reportedly become involved in politics, underscoring the penetration of organized crime in the country. Additionally, organized mafias linked to ostensibly legal businesses, particularly gold mining, facilitate gold smuggling and lease concessions to illegal and informal miners who evade regulation.

State-embedded actors play a significant role in criminal markets in Guyana, with corruption permeating all levels of government. Officials often receive bribes or gifts to overlook illegal activities, enabling criminal operations. Political parties have historically aligned with criminal gangs, such as the Indo-Guyanese phantom gangs and Afro-Guyanese gangs, to incite unrest. Criminal financiers, including those involved in drug trafficking and gold mining, have funded political campaigns across party lines, fostering corruption and influence peddling. The systemic corruption in the country undermines governance and perpetuates organized crime.

Foreign criminal networks significantly influence Guyana’s organized crime landscape, with actors from Mexico, Italy and Colombia holding leadership roles in cocaine, fauna, arms and heroin trafficking. These foreign entities collaborate with state actors and local gangs, shaping illicit economies. Venezuelan groups, including sindicatos as well as corrupt state actors from institutions such as the Venezuelan National Guard, conduct cross-border raids, extortion and human trafficking, often exploiting illegal mining areas. Brazilian and Surinamese networks also maintain a presence along border regions. The Italian mafia, particularly linked to drug trafficking to southern Italy, operates on the coast, while the discovery of a fugitive associated with the 'Ndrangheta underscores transnational connections. These interactions highlight the convergence of foreign and local actors, exacerbating vulnerabilities in the country’s criminal landscape.

Private-sector mining, forestry and agricultural companies in the country contribute to human trafficking and smuggling through their demand for exploited labour, including miners and sex workers. Organized criminal networks are linked to legal enterprises, such as gold-mining companies, that facilitate gold smuggling and grant mining concessions to illegal operators who bypass government oversight. Furthermore, there are increased concerns over the arrival of investors within the oil sector who might engage in money laundering activities. Systemic vulnerabilities, including regulatory loopholes and corruption, enable these activities. Criminal dynamics are characterized by the complex interplay between legitimate economic sectors and organized crime, undermining governance and economic integrity in the country.

Leadership and governance

Political power in Guyana is highly centralized within the executive branch. This consolidates a single-party dominance that is marked by ethnopolitical divisions, fostering mistrust and polarization, particularly given increased oil and gas revenues. Although the 2020 elections were generally deemed free and fair, allegations of interference by electoral officials led to a presidential commission of inquiry that confirmed attempts to manipulate the vote count. Dismissals followed, but public confidence remained strained. Furthermore, the international community highlighted Guyana’s political leadership deficiencies after several state-level corruption cases revealed that organized crime had penetrated the political system. In response, the government adopted a political rhetoric focused on combatting crime. The implementation of those new policies and legislation is, however, still deficient.

Corruption remains a pervasive challenge in Guyana, fuelled by ethnically driven politics that prioritize elite interests. Recent measures to combat corruption include strengthened anti-money laundering protocols and enhanced auditing of state-owned companies. Nevertheless, financial crimes involving public officials persist, undermining credibility. Oil and gas revenues heighten the urgency for more robust reforms. The country’s membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative aims to enhance sector transparency, but it is at risk of suspension due to persistent compliance issues related to reporting and audit findings. A lack of updated oil reserve data and perceived opacity in oil revenue management has intensified public dissatisfaction, prompting calls for improved transparency and more equitable resource management.

Guyana has ratified international treaties combating drug trafficking, illicit arms trade and wildlife crime, and has cooperation agreements in place with neighbouring countries and major partners like the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, Guyana strengthened its drug control measures, receiving bilateral funding assistance. The country has also continued to foster cooperation with CARICOM partners, including intelligence-sharing on firearm trafficking as well as cybersecurity. Cybersecurity efforts were expanded with US collaboration on military network protection. Guyana also increased regional cooperation on environmental protection, signing an agreement with the European Union to address illegal logging. Additional EU–Guyana dialogues focused on economic, security and environmental collaboration, with EU support for territorial dispute resolution.

Guyana has established a comprehensive legal framework to combat organized crime, addressing drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism financing, arms trafficking, cybercrime and wildlife trafficking. National policies also regulate gold mining by overseeing licencing and processing, restricting raw gold possession to producers, and requiring them to sell their gold to authorized institutions within a set timeframe. Planned reforms to the Firearms Act aim to strengthen background checks and increase licencing criteria. Penalties for possession, production and trade in illegal arms are also being revised. Despite the existence of regulatory frameworks, their implementation remains largely ineffective.

Criminal justice and security

The judiciary in Guyana faces significant challenges, despite constitutional guarantees of independence. Ethnic-based political divisions undermine the judicial branch, with political disputes, staffing shortages and limited resources impairing court functionality. Successive administrations have appointed close allies to high courts, compromising judicial impartiality. The president requires opposition approval to nominate top officials, but these appointments are also contentious. During the reporting period, the top two offices have been held by acting placeholders. The courts are unable to deliver effective judgments on criminal actors, resulting in lower conviction rates. These judicial inefficiencies also result in prolonged pretrial detention and overcrowded prisons with inadequate sanitary conditions, persistent corruption among officials and unchecked contraband smuggling.

Guyana’s law enforcement framework comprises specialized units targeting organized crime, including human trafficking, drug control, financial crime and cybersecurity. Although some effectiveness has been demonstrated, their efforts are curtailed by persistent corruption among officials. However, law enforcement capacity has been bolstered by significant funding, community engagement initiatives and extensive police training, with efforts to enhance transparency through body camera deployment.

The country’s porous borders facilitate criminal activities such as cocaine, gold, mercury, firearms and human trafficking, particularly in hinterland regions with limited law enforcement. In contrast with dense coastal settlement, the sparse population in the interior heightens vulnerability to illicit operations. Tensions persist over the oil- and minerals-rich Essequibo region, where Venezuela asserts territorial claims despite an International Court of Justice order. The discovery of oil in Guyanese waters has intensified the dispute, framed by Venezuela’s strategic focus on resource control amid economic challenges. International actors, including the United States and Brazil, express concern, while CARICOM mediates without success. Military posturing continues, raising fears of escalation.

Economic and financial environment

Guyana is still a medium-high risk jurisdiction for money laundering, primarily due to corruption and bribery. Despite this, the country has strengthened its legal framework to combat financial crimes, implementing new and amended legislation to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing. During the reporting period, authorities enhanced financial intelligence, increased asset seizure capabilities and addressed previous deficiencies. Collaboration with regional units has improved through formal information-sharing agreements, while training initiatives bolstered asset recovery capacity. External factors, including the discovery of significant oil and gas reserves, present new money laundering risks. Continued efforts are needed to ensure the effectiveness of recent measures, and their impact remains undetermined.

Despite significant economic expansion driven by oil revenue, Guyana’s projected growth is expected to decelerate due to declining crude prices. The government is actively pursuing economic diversification to reduce dependency on commodities like gold, bauxite, rice and sugar. Legal and regulatory frameworks align with international standards, but bureaucratic challenges and opaque procedures hinder business efficiency. Corruption and inefficiency persist, particularly in public procurement, where non-transparent bidding and contract overpayments are recurrent issues. Financial transactions remain cash-dependent, especially in rural areas, limiting banking service penetration.

Civil society and social protection

The state actively supports human trafficking victims, maintaining compliance with international anti-trafficking standards. Guyana has mechanisms in place to provide comprehensive human trafficking victim assistance, including shelter, medical care, counselling, legal aid, vocational training and support for reintegration or repatriation. However, limited interpretation services are a challenge to accessibility. The government has funded multiple shelters, both state- and NGO-operated, and allocated financial resources for victim support, although budgetary decreases and an overall lack of government will have been noted. There are continuing efforts to standardize victim identification procedures, including provisions for children, in collaboration with international partners. In Guyana, public education campaigns, especially in indigenous communities, and expanded psychosocial and treatment services support drug users. In 2024, the government launched a National Mental Health Action Plan to improve mental health care and address substance abuse within a public health framework. The national drug strategy emphasizes a human rights-based approach, prioritizing harm reduction, evidence-based treatment and social inclusion. However, weak evaluation and underfunding cast doubt on the long-term impact of these efforts. Meanwhile, witness-protection programmes exist but remain ineffective due to persistent challenges and stalled implementation.

Guyana has also made significant advancements in combating crime, particularly through the implementation of comprehensive national strategies. A national drug strategy master plan focused on reducing drug supply and demand. Public awareness campaigns highlighted cybercrime prevention. Human trafficking remained a priority, with increased screening measures and the establishment of immigration offices at key border points, offering multilingual hotlines. The government actively engaged indigenous and sector-specific communities to enhance awareness and reporting. Crime rates declined markedly, with homicide, robbery and human trafficking reaching decade-low levels.

The media environment in Guyana is moderately constrained, with freedom of the press generally upheld but subject to intimidation and harassment, particularly against journalists critical of authorities. Government officials have laid defamation charges, with criminal defamation punishable by imprisonment. Cases of violence against journalists have been reported, including attempted murder. Civil society groups have raised concerns over government efforts to suppress critical media and restrict access to press briefings. Additionally, the hiring of journalists by oil firms and government entities has coincided with a decline in critical reporting in those sectors. NGOs operate freely and are consulted on policy initiatives, including anti-trafficking measures. Nevertheless, certain civil society organizations in the country have increasingly faced acts of intimidation, shrinking the civic space.