Guyana’s silence represents a shocking neglect of its national interest

Feb 12, 2025 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Peeping Tom…

Kaieteur News-Guyana has long championed the sanctity of territorial integrity and the rejection of aggression in international relations. From its vocal condemnation of Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982 to its firm stance against Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Guyana has consistently positioned itself as a defender of sovereignty and international law.

Yet, in the face of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alarming proposal to annex Gaza and displace its Palestinian population, Guyana’s silence is not only puzzling but also a shocking neglect of its own national interest. This silence undermines Guyana’s moral authority, weakens its diplomatic standing, and risks alienating potential allies whose support is crucial in defending its territory against Venezuela’s persistent claims.

At the heart of Guyana’s foreign policy is the need to safeguard its territorial integrity, particularly against the existential threat posed by Venezuela’s longstanding claim to the Essequibo region. This claim, which encompasses nearly two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, has been a source of tension between the two countries since Independence. In recent years, Venezuela has intensified its rhetoric and actions, including military exercises near the border and the establishment of a new state that incorporates Guyana’s territory. In this context, Guyana has rightly sought international support including from the United States.

However, Guyana’s silence on Trump’s Gaza proposal risks undermining its credibility as a consistent defender of territorial integrity and international law. Trump’s plan, which reportedly involves annexing Gaza and pressuring neighbouring Arab states to absorb its Palestinian population, is a blatant violation of international law and the principles of self-determination. Such a proposal echoes the darkest chapters of history, where powerful nations redrew borders and displaced populations to serve their own interests.

By failing to condemn this plan, Guyana is tacitly endorsing a dangerous precedent that could embolden aggressors worldwide, including Venezuela. If Guyana remains silent when a powerful nation like the United States proposes the annexation of territory and the displacement of a people, how can it credibly oppose Venezuela’s claims to the Essequibo? The inconsistency is glaring and damaging to Guyana’s moral and diplomatic standing.

Guyana’s silence is particularly perplexing given its history of standing up to aggression, even when it involves powerful nations. These actions have earned Guyana respect on the global stage as a nation that prioritizes principle over expediency. Yet, by failing to speak out against Trump’s Gaza proposal, Guyana risks squandering this hard-earned reputation.

Guyana’s silence reflects a misguided assumption that aligning with U.S. interests, or at least not opposing them, will secure American support in its dispute with Venezuela. This assumption is dangerously naive. The United States, under Trump, is likely to prioritize its own interests above all else. The “America First” doctrine, which Trump champions, explicitly rejects the notion of the U.S. acting as a global protector or arbiter of international law. While the U.S. has recently expressed support for Guyana in its dispute with Venezuela, this support is not unconditional and is unlikely to extend to military intervention in the event of a conflict. Guyana cannot afford to rely on American protection; it must instead build a broad coalition of international allies who share its commitment to territorial integrity and the rule of international law. America clearly does not exemplify such a commitment under Trump.

Guyana’s silence also undermines its own domestic unity and moral authority. The government and opposition have historically been united in their defense of the Essequibo and their condemnation of Venezuela’s claims. Yet, their failure to address Trump’s Gaza proposal creates a dangerous precedent of selective outrage. It suggests that Guyana’s political leaders are willing to overlook violations of international law when it suits their short-term interests, rather than standing firm on principle. This approach weakens Guyana’s diplomatic position.

Guyana should also denounce Trump’s wild and reckless statements regarding Canada, Greenland, and Panama, which have raised serious concerns about his disregard for the sovereignty of other nations. Trump’s musings about annexing Greenland, his threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, and his transactional approach to Panama’s Canal all reflect a troubling pattern of behaviour that undermines the principles of national sovereignty.

A principled and consistent foreign policy requires Guyana to speak out against all forms of aggression and disrespect for sovereignty, regardless of the source. Denouncing Trump’s statements would not only align with Guyana’s values but also reinforce its credibility as a defender of international law and a nation that stands firm against threats to the territorial integrity of any state, no matter how powerful the aggressor. Guyana must not make the mistake of assuming that silence will secure American protection or that it can afford to be inconsistent in its defense of territorial integrity and international law. The stakes are too high, and the principles too important, for Guyana to remain silent. By speaking out against Trump’s proposal, Guyana can strengthen its international alliances, and send a clear message to Venezuela and the world that it will not tolerate aggression in any form.

(Guyana’s silence represents a shocking neglect of its national interest)

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

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• Argentina’s invasion, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Peeping Tom, territorial integrity, war in Ukraine

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