Carter cuts short trip over illness

Before leaving Guyana yesterday, former US President Jimmy Carter (second from right) met with President Donald Ramotar (right). Also in photo from left are co-head of the Carter Center mission, Dame Billie Miller, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and co-head of the Carter Center mission Dame Audrey Glover. (Carter Center photo)

Former US President Jimmy Carter yesterday flew back to Atlanta, Georgia after feeling unwell, dealing a blow to many who had hoped for his presence at today’s general elections and for the declaration of the final results.

Carter, 90, had been here to head up the Carter Center’s observer mission to today’s crucial general election. The mission will nevertheless continue in his absence.

Reports say that Carter visited the Balwant Singh Hospital on Saturday night and stayed