The threat of Venezuela; Better move to Guyanese
DEAR EDITOR,
The Venezuelans have done it again, and once again emphasize how relentless and backward we are at all levels in this country. While we have the world at our feet, it is clear that if we refuse to listen, then we will have a barren desert in our hands.
The first was a couple of vulnerable fishing boats and their crews persecuted by Venezuelan Lynges. We made some polite noises, and that’s all there is for us, and that was: welcome home, compadres. On Wednesday, it was the emptiness of our unfriendly air, with jet fighters falling at low levels. It was not a ceremonial transfer. As I see it, this relentless continual intensification of tensions by Venezuela is going to lead, sooner than later, in the presence of ground troops across our border in various forms. I can already hear the defenses: chasing criminals. It may not be full official forums, but harassment and embezzlement of guerrilla tactics under the unofficial search of the Syndicato gangs. In that way, everyone – from the Venezuelan Ambassador to the Venezuelan political and military leadership – has what is called ‘credible credibility.’ If the PPP and PNC lighthouses think they are the only ones who can play games and escape the misuse of the English Language, then they all preferred to think again. The Venezuelans may be Spanish speakers, but they do not slip in English, as his Foreign Minister has shown during fishing boat episodes and embarrassments.
Editor, I must be clear here and now: I recognize our limitations at the levels of leadership, manpower and ordnance. I recognize that we are deeply divided, and that the deep lasting scars of last year’s elections have pierced the point of casual patriotism and indifference on the part of too many. I am now putting my part in the ground on what I consider to be a Venezuelan existential threat, which is not going to disappear, but intensify and multiply. I also recognize that we could also have numbers of around, if not over, probably 100,000 foreigners (legal and illegal and not counting) residing here; great mischief could be involved. I put this on the table: No matter what government has no power, and no matter how unenforceable it is (and reassured) I can’t look back, I am not going back nowhere. I am like one with this government where Venezuela is concerned; and any governing equipment, in that regard. This is not up for debate. And I encourage all my fellow Guyanese to be of the same mindset, if not before me.
Finally, given our known reality, I believe it is time for all Guyanese to adjust the mindset of those who were once known in North Vietnam. If ‘irregularities’ have to do with a protective regularity regime, then so be it. But the objective is to extract the toughest and most expensive price for any invaders, which will come sometime.
Correctly,
Lall GHK