Unsettled times

Jan 05, 2026 Editorial, News

(Kaieteur News) – The US is rushing to complete its takeover of Venezuela, until it “safe and judicious” to pack bags and leave. Safe and judicious can mean anything, from three months, which is unlikely, to three years, which may still not be enough to get the job done to US visions for Guyana’s northwestern neighbour.

The US is in charge, Maduro is in a New York jail, which are in the open. The rest is open to all kinds of speculation, from where will the Venezuelan crime gangs go, to what will become of Maduro diehards, to what all this means for Guyanese.

There are any number of unknowns, and the worst development for Guyanese is that are so jumpy, that any rumor, too much silence, the spread of misinformation, a failure of leadership, or trying too hard could shake them up. We at this paper have one piece of advice for citizens: stay calm, be vigilant.

The politicians have a duty to speak in soothing tones, with Guyanese not helped by the usual stream of propaganda. Keep messages simple, don’t leave the people hanging and, most of all, be frank with them. Don’t try to be what cannot be backed up, don’t try to look too brave, when there is no need for such. Undoubtedly, there are many Guyanese who are glad to hear that Maduro is gone. The concern that we have centers around the many closet Maduros and wannabee Maduros, who have gone into hiding, and biding their time to resume his dream and deliver on his promise, especially as such relates to Guyana’s lands and riches.

Frankly speaking, Guyana has more challenges than it needs, or can handle in an inspiring manner. The worst scenario now would be for floods of Venezuelans coming over our borders, including violent men. No less frankly, one of the casualties of conflict is refugees, of which there are always too many.

In the eyes of Venezuelans, whether they are for or against Maduro, the riches of Guyana belong to them, and Guyanese are the ones who are covetous, the true usurpers. This is not good for the building of a mutually respectful and sustainable relationship. We wish it were otherwise, which is one of the reasons, we have urged watchfulness and sobriety occurring in partnership. Another unhelpful reality is that Guyana is now seen as being firmly on the side of the US in the harms that it has inflicted on Venezuela. For examples, attacks on alleged drug boat and loss of life, with the latest being the assault that snatched Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Notwithstanding all these developments, and all these not improbable passions on the Venezuelan side of the border, we maintain the call made earlier: keep calm and be confident that Guyana will ride this through. The times are turbulent, but there is no reason to panic, no basis to look at economic migrants who hail from across the Cuyuni River any differently. Let us not see enemies when there are none, but those that exist in the imagination.

There are no grounds to be critical or skeptical of those who work here and give much good service consistently. In a world that, thanks to President Donald Trump, changes almost like the weather, the best way to go about the responsibilities of daily life is to be unchanging in conduct. Take nothing for granted, but take no new liberties about who is who, and what could be hidden, should one be trying to catch phantoms.

As citizens, the biggest asset that each of us can be to this country in this time of uncertainty is not pretend at knowing more than we do, be mischievous and spread panic, or give the appearance of being bold, when the circumstances do not require any of those. This country is at a crossroads, with one saber-rattler flown out of Caracas, and a buoyant US parachuting into his vacant seat. Before the dangers were known, as they assaulted ears, and stretched nerves. In a matter of less than two days, the unknown has replaced the known, and unsettled subs for the previously settled. Guyanese still have to manage themselves quietly, cautiously, sensibly.

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Editorial, Maduro, Unsettled times, Venezuela

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Unsettled times

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