A compelling endorsement has emerged from New York-based commentator Jay Rakhar, praising Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s strategic decision to pursue enhanced cooperation with the United States amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. This development occurs against the backdrop of Venezuela’s renewed claims over the oil-rich Essequibo region, despite the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award that established Guyana’s legitimate sovereignty.
The correspondence highlights Venezuela’s alleged role as a regional destabilizer, accusing the nation of being a primary exporter of illicit drugs and firearms not only to Trinidad and Tobago but also to the United States and neighboring Suriname. The author characterizes Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro as ‘the bully of the Caribbean,’ referencing recent assertions that Trinidad and Tobago historically belonged to Venezuela—claims dismissed as baseless.
A particularly provocative suggestion proposes the establishment of a US military base within the disputed Essequibo territory as a permanent solution to deter Venezuelan expansionism. The author argues that American military presence would serve as a protective frontier, ensuring Guyana’s security while providing psychological comfort to its citizens.
The analysis further references Trinidad and Tobago’s existing security cooperation with the US, notably the installation of a radar system at Tobago airport that recently contributed to a significant drug bust worth $171 million in the Caroni Swamp. The author condemns any potential objections to such security measures as ‘outrageous and ludicrous,’ emphasizing their demonstrated effectiveness in combating narcotics trafficking.
The overarching argument posits that strategic alignment with the United States represents a prudent geopolitical choice compared to enduring Venezuelan aggression, framing the proposed partnership as a necessary safeguard for regional stability.