GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Nearly 50 years after the tragic events that transpired at Jonestown, Guyana is once again confronted with a painful chapter in its history. In 1978, U.S. Rev. Jim Jones led over 900 of his followers to their deaths in what became the largest murder-suicide in modern history. Now, a government-supported tour operator aims to open the site of the former commune, which has become hidden under thick vegetation, to tourists. This initiative has sparked considerable debate and controversy, with critics asserting that such a venture would insensitive to the victims and resurrect a grim episode in history.
Jordan Vilchez, who was only 14 when she arrived at the Peoples Temple commune, shared her mixed feelings about the proposed tour in a recent interview from the U.S. She vividly recalls being in Guyana’s capital when Jones instructed his followers to consume a poisoned drink, which was first administered to children. Vilchez lost her two sisters and two nephews in this horrifying event, stating that she narrowly escaped death. Although she believes Guyana has the right to benefit economically from the legacy of Jonestown, she emphasizes the need for respectful treatment of the disturbing circumstances that led to the event.
The planned tour will take visitors to the remote village of Port Kaituma, accessed solely via boat, helicopter, or plane due to the river-based geography of the region. A further six-mile trek along a rough pathway will lead to what remains of the commune. Law professor Neville Bissember expressed his objections to the tour in a recent letter, deeming it a “ghoulish and bizarre” project and questioning how a site associated with mass tragedy can represent Guyanese culture and nature.
Despite the criticisms, the government’s Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Hospitality Association have shown their support for the initiative. Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond acknowledged the potential backlash but affirmed her backing, suggesting that the tour could receive official endorsement. She pointed to Rwanda’s approach to memorializing its tragic past as a potential model.
Rose Sewcharran, director of the private tour company that aims to facilitate visits to Jonestown, expressed optimism about moving forward with the project, emphasizing that dark tourism is not uncommon worldwide, citing examples like Auschwitz and other sites of historical atrocities.
The mass tragedy from November 1978 has long been intertwined with Guyana’s image until the discovery of vast oil reserves off its coast shifted attention toward new opportunities for tourism. Modern developments, including new infrastructure, have made the country more attractive to visitors. Astill Paul, who was involved in the last flight of U.S. Rep. Leo J. Ryan to the area, advocates for the establishment of Jonestown as a heritage site, a notion that was previously rejected by authorities.
Previous administrations had distanced themselves from Jonestown due to its controversial history, although few local Indigenous people were among the victims, the overwhelming majority were Americans drawn by the promise of a better life under Jones’s leadership. Proponents of the tour, like pilot Gerry Gouveia, argue for reconstructing significant buildings on the site to provide a clearer understanding of the commune’s history.
Despite the challenges, most visitors to Jonestown have been journalists and family members of the victims, with organizing a visit being exceptionally difficult due to its remote location. Commentators like Fielding McGehee from The Jonestown Institute express skepticism about the project’s feasibility, highlighting the complexities in preserving accurate narratives from the site.
If the tour becomes a reality, it will inevitably draw interest from those fascinated by tragic history. Vilchez reflects on her visit back to Jonestown in 2018, where she made a symbolic offering to the land in remembrance of those who perished, providing a personal connection to her family’s loss. She buried keepsakes that honored the memories of her loved ones in the desolate location where they met their tragic fate, illustrating the deep emotional ties that remain even decades later.
Overall, as discussions of reopening Jonestown capture public interest, the balance between education, remembrance, and the potential commodification of tragedy must be carefully navigated to honor the victims and their families.
