In 2007, a much younger former U.S. President Jimmy Carter wrote “Beyond the White House,” about his post-presidency work with The Carter Center, an institution he and his wife help create in 1982.

Had it not been for that call from President Carter to President Hoyte who then instructed the GDF to mobilize and supplement the Police force, Guyana would have experienced the type of post-electoral violence witnessed in 1998 when mobs roamed the streets of Georgetown attacking perceived supporters of the PPP.

The Carter Center, headed by Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, was accredited to observe the March 2 elections, and is now seeking permission to re-enter Guyana to observe the recount.

In two letters dated on May 15th and addressed to Sarah-Ann Lynch, the US Ambassador to Guyana and to five prominent Senators of the United States, Karen Cummings, the de facto Guyanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, who wrote on behalf President David Granger, explicitly stated that “…it may not be possible for the Carter (Center)  and the IRI Advisor to participate in the overseeing of the recount of the votes cast on the 2nd March General and Regional Elections…”  She cited concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, and re-affirmed Granger’s confidence in the role of the Caricom observers.

Caretaker David Granger, who was 47 years old when Carter observed the 1992 elections, and who encouraged President Hoyte to peacefully hand over power to the opposition, amid objections from PNC hardliners, is making a calculated decision.