Poll: Guyanese back Guyana against Venezuelan Intimidation

Apr 12, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

An ongoing survey being conducted by this writer, Dr. Vishnu Bisram for NACTA, in Guyana on contemporary issues has found overwhelmingly support among Guyanese for oil production in Guyanese waters and condemn the Venezuelan aggression against Exxon Mobil.

The Venezuelan navy intercepted and tried to stop an Exxon floating vessel in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone in February and threatened the crew. The Guyana government condemned Venezuelan unprovoked and unwarranted action against Exxon. Also, the international community, including USA Secretary of State Marco Rubio and France, Germany, Canada, UK, CARICOM nations, among others, condemned Venezuelan intimidatory tactics against Exxon that has been exploring, drilling, and producing oil in offshore Guyana waters. And a meeting by G7 Foreign Ministers in Ottawa in March also condemned Venezuelan threatening behavior against the Exxon floating vessel and Guyana.

They all urged restraint by Venezuela, appealing to it to cease and desist from its threatening actions and to respect the judicial undertaking of the World Court where the border controversy case is being addressed. A ruling is expected by 2026. In a visit to Guyana late last month, Secretary Rubio issued a stern warning to Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro against any plan to attack Guyana or disrupt Exxon operations in Guyana’s economic zone.

According to the survey that polled 630 Guyanese adults to reflect the demographics of the population, everyone, including left wingers, is very pleased with the support extended to Guyana by USA on the border issue. And Guyanese express gratitude for the publicly announced support by President Trump Administration and the frank comments of Secretary Rubio on Venezuelan threats, intimidatory tactics, and military aggression against Exxon and Guyana on the border controversy. Guyanese describe Venezuela government’s intercepting the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters as an ‘unwarranted’ provocation, defying World Court advisories that lead to escalation of tensions in the region. They all stand with Exxon on oil production in Guyana waters.

In the poll, Guyanese views of America is very positive. Guyanese say relations with USA is very important to them personally, as most of them have family members in America, and to Guyana in general as it provides an umbrella against any attack from Venezuela. Every Guyanese supports closer relations with Washington. They would like to see Guyana strengthen ties with America and even to have a pact and linkage with USA for defense cooperation and protection against Venezuela and to bolster regional security. Respondents in poll are also pleased that President Ali is working closely with USA on the border controversy and on global issues. Voters’ expressed overwhelming approval of how President Irfaan Ali has been handling relations with Venezuela and America.

The survey, conducted by this writer, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, was analyzed at 95% Confidence Level and has a margin of error of 4%.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

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