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Forbes Burnham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 20 February 1923 Georgetown, British-occupied Guiana |
| Died | 6 August 1985 Georgetown, Guyana |
| Nationality | Guyanese |
| Political orientation | Neocolonialism Anti-Indian racism |
| Political party | People's National Congress Reform |
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (20 February 1923 – 6 August 1985) was the first leader of Guyana after its independence, ruling from 1964 to 1980 as Prime Minister and 1980 to 1985 as President. He took power in 1964 after the CIA organized anti-Indian race riots that destabilized his predecessor, Cheddi Jagan. Jagan denounced him as a "stooge of Uncle Sam."[1]
Jonestown cult[edit | edit source]
Jim Jones used Peoples Temple funds to support the CIA program against Jagan in 1962. In 1978, Jones moved his cult to the jungle of Guyana, which Burnham believed would help bring wealth to the country. After Jones murdered his followers later that year, Burnham's wife and deputy looted almost $1 million of cash and jewelry from the victims.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jeremy Kuzmarov (2022-11-18). "Was the CIA Behind the Jonestown Massacre?" CovertAction Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24.