Time for a US military base in Essequibo?

Oct 02, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Venezuela’s growing aggression towards Guyana regarding its claim for a huge chunk of Essequibo is deeply worrying.
It is clear that the domestic desperation from the economic and political situation have forced leaders to find ways to cool the tempers of its people down.
Venezuelans have been fleeing by the thousands from the hardships as food, medicine, runaway inflation and foreign currency shortages continue to wreak havoc on this oil-rich country.
What better way than to drum up a century-old claim that have been settled a long time back.
President Nicholas Maduro must know that legally and diplomatically the renewed claim is going nowhere yet he continues to bluster.
Venezuela has now refused to recognise the UN’s World Court in The Hague as the final, binding decider on their claim.
The claim is for almost all of Essequibo, a mineral-rich area and the biggest county in Guyana.
Recent news that President Maduro has collaborated with elements from the Opposition to present one front on the claim is not good news.
Venezuela has also stated clearly that it will not recognise any decision by the World Court and would rather continue talks with Guyana. Those bilateral talks have gone nowhere in more than two decades. A mere waste of time and money for Guyana with Venezuela not budging from its all or nothing posture.
It is clear now that Guyana cannot continue to sit on its hands.
President Irfaan Ali may seriously have to consider allowing the US to build a base in Essequibo.
In addition to the obvious economic benefits for Guyana with such facilities and personnel, we should recognise that there are existing agreements to combat the drug trade.
This has little to do with giving up our sovereignty. It is strictly a pragmatic way of solving a situation.
How about it President Ali?

Cobeer ‘Anand’ Persaud

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