Venezuela: The contrast, the thought-provoking

Jun 05, 2024 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK Lall

Kaieteur News – Guyana’s President Ali can work himself into full acceleration when Guyanese are involved, those seen as insurgents. Yet he can be so flatfooted when it is Venezuela rattling his cage, a hostile Maduro, making no bones about where he stands. The big and brave Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of anything that moves under Guyanese skies, can be such a raging bull (or something else) when his favorite locals must be taught a lesson. Yet he is such a sweet kitten when Maduro masses his assets in a purposeful, relentless display next to Guyana’s fence.

In a cruel twist of irony, the man Maduro has embraced the language of one Dr. Cheddi Jagan and loudly slapped it, plastered it, right across the mug of Dr. Irfaan Ali and quietly on the ageing countenance of Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. It is the ultimate insult, a historical takedown now dug up and used to denounce two great political sons of the immortal Cheddi Jagan.

President Ali is a puppet of America, a puppet of Exxon. Though I have said so a few times in different words, I claim no fame this time for that last blast from Caracas. Those words were uttered by Venezuelan President Nicolos Maduro. Though only a tot at the time, that ringing, scorching scorn of Dr. Jagan remained fresh. He applied it to South Korea and South Vietnam.

Now who would believe, but his own beloved Guyana is labeled an American province, with his own descendants as the biggest stooges. His ashes stir restlessly. I react impatiently. Where is the usually loud and aggressive, the leader with the hair-trigger temper, Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali? Where is big brother Jagdeo running to the rescue with teeth bared in a menacing snarl and ready for a brawl?

Where are the Guardians of Democracy (of the PPP, really), have they all had a vasectomy? Oh, I know, Guyana is depending on Uncle Sam and John Bull aka perfidious Albion. Guyanese know the United States is the former, and I help those unfamiliar with the latter. It is the United Kingdom.

The thinking here is that those two limpingpowerhouses, but still potent forces, are for Guyanese. Warplanes, warships, war hawks and war dogs.

Remove Exxon and Hess/Chevron from the local oil equation and it would be revealing to analyze where the same US and UK are then. The lesson is that when the air has cleared, Guyanese only have Guyanese as the staunchest, most enduring allies.

Unless that registers deep inside the bricklike skulls of my fellows, then the words of Maduro apply even more broadly. He is no regular foe, but a sworn foe. Also, he has laid the groundwork from which no competitor, no successor, in Venezuela’s political arena dare retreat. Not a word, not even one syllable about easing up on claims on Guyana whispered or whimpered.

I plead with comrades and contemporaries, whether they find me agreeable or disagreeable, to examine Maduro’s painstaking infrastructure-built block by careful block. Referendum to marshal and galvanize a dispirited population. Law to give basis. Moving men and materiel to give muscle. And, of course, the belligerent rhetoric to inspire his people, to intimidate the Guyanese people starting with the president.

What has our beloved President Ali done? Before, and in anticipation of the ratcheting up of pressure and tensions from across the Cuyuni? The president and the vice president had their Congress. Both were thrilled to perfect their pantomimes and performances before a captive audience.

One would have thought (I did) that the contemptuous attention directed at local teachers would have been rehearsed and refined for delivery on the head and in the face of Maduro.Bullies can’t hide their fear, no matter what their bluster. Cowards can’t conceal their color, as they quiver before the stronger who is the real wrongdoer, the real despoiler in waiting for Guyana.

Instead of reviling and working overtime to bring down patriotic Guyanese, spend that same energy thinking of how to bring this country together, so that all are one against Venezuela. One in attitude. One in spirit. And of one mind because they feel deep down that they count and that they have a place in this great new era of promise.

And of predators, too. American predators who want every bone and scrap for themselves in the best renditions of corporate hyenas. Amid the promised prosperity there are also the Venezuelan predators thinking of pouncing to grab two thirds or three quarters of Guyana. Exxon has its contract and wants everything, including our minds. It has done extremely well in both, thanks to a government and leadership that is at its command.

Undoubtedly, neither of Guyana’s two biggest leaders, Drs. Ali and Jagdeo, are pleased with such conclusions expressed publicly. So, they crack the whip on dissidents, when they should be fully engaged with redirecting their strengths across the border. When Guyanese leaders must stand tall, they turn tail. When they should have the courage to face the devil over there, they see devils in people like me.

Maduro flexes his muscle, intensifies his insults at the leader of Guyana. To my utter shame and regret, the same local leader and his powerful sidekick pass that on to those who they find offensive here. The real enemy is over there. Ali and Jagdeo imagine, then create enemies right here.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Guyana’s President Ali, Hard Truths by GHK Lall, Venezuela, Venezuelan President Nicolos Maduro

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