Last updated Sunday, 10 January 2021, 10:17 by Denis Chabrol
By GHK Lall
With great interest and trepidation I read the article headline only in the headline, “Venezuelan Maduro promises to“ re-conquer ”Essequibo; makes a new decree ”(KN January 9). My alarm in this latest neighborhood jarring should be an alarm for every Guyanese; it’s a wake-up call, definitely a timely one that needs it most.
First, I have to give it to a strong Venezuelan man, who has more political lives than a cat. Say whatever you have to say about it, but this Bolivarian campesino cum hidalgo cum has survived: it has disregarded domestic opponents and outweighed everything the still-mighty United States has thrown at it. That alone makes it extremely dangerous for this country, where most are oblivious to the existential threat to Guyana’s well-being that he and his country represent. Because here is a man who was down and out, but one who has now bounced back and danced on his toes, and is already launching verbal salvos and judgments against this country. That means me and I, and I do not take kindly to Senor Maduro at all on this.
The smart and resourceful political leader obviously bided (no punishment) his time, and is now a resurgent. Interestingly, he captured the chaotic interregnum in Washington, DC, lauding his thoughtless archenemy there and on the way out, and wedging himself to the cause again. For now I’m settling for a ’cause’ which is euphemism that covers a lot of territory, none of which is positive for Guyana. Also obviously, those maritime agreements and developments had to have made the man and his people perceptive and simmering there. So he flipped his new lease on life, and threatened to “re-conquer.” I would hope that Guyanese is all the way to the top — the president, the vice president, the Leader of the Opposition et al. — has paused whatever they are doing and has straightened out with one thought in mind: this draws the closest attention to, if only to determine where this ultimately leads and by what mechanisms. As for the latter, I am not talking about judgments.
Right now, we’re really busy here with things mostly oil. We are so busy that we have become too full of a shadow of ourselves, which is evident from the swagger and Lone Ranger mentality that prevails in ruling political circles. It is time for the PPP government to rethink, re-group and immediately rebuild some solid communication with opposition leadership. Our neighbor is talking (boasting openly) about “re-conquering”, so it’s time for us in this country to start talking about reconciliation. By that, I mean unity, unity, similarity at all levels in this society, just to appreciate where we are and what we are up against. I have said time and again, the Venezuelan threat is not going to disappear. He will survive Mr. Maduro and his political children. But that country’s spectacular claims to large parts of Guyana never go away. That much is guaranteed.
Yes, we have American powerhouse Exxon and its 2% contract reality; this is where the rubber hits the road and the Americans must win all those surrendered percentages. The Americans have to show their mettle and where they stand. This is as much I have said until blue in the face during the coalition’s reign. Now, the insurance premium introduced must be honored by those who came to sign deals, and stuff many things down the necks of one government after another, especially the current one. Mr. Maduro has confirmed his first and loud saber. Venezuelan jefe has explained where he stands; and now the Americans who benefit so much must show where they stand as well.
At the same time, the first order of business for us here is for Guyanese political leaders to publicly close ranks to state that this country is united in standing up for whatever comes, whatever “reconciliation” signifies, and whatever else Mr. Maduro has in mind. I am not just talking about sound bites, photographs, and rhetoric. For the first and last time: mutuality is key, mutuality is paramount, mutuality is everything. And as a cautionary note, not just for the convenience of this current Venezuelan clarity (which I think is relevant), but moving forward. Many may not like to hear anything from this last part, but then I leave them with this: their choice is toxins to choose and swallow.