The Venezuela incursion has its precedence

Dec 29, 2018 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The recent incident involving the Venezuelan Navy’s incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is reminiscent of that which took place in October 2013 when an Anadarco Petroleum Company’s exploration vessel was seized in Guyana’s territorial waters by the Venezuelan navy and taken to Caracas.
On December 22, 2018, the Venezuelan Navy stopped two oil exploration vessels contracted by ExxonMobil (Corp) from carrying our seismic surveys in waters constituting Guyana’s EEZ.
I do not believe that Venezuela’s action is coincidental. Unlike our inattentiveness, Venezuela pays keen attention to developments in Guyana. Venezuela’s action came one day after a controversial no-confidence motion against the sitting Guyana government in this country’s parliament.
One would recall the Venezuelan reaction to Guyana in September 2015, shortly after the election of the incumbent government here. The Venezuelans amassed an extraordinary deployment of military personnel and equipment in border areas close to our Essequibo.
Intuitively and prudently, the David Granger government went on an immediate diplomatic crusade internationally to whip up support for Guyana’s cause. Our subsequent move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was a precise and effective move, pegging back the Venezuelan aggression temporarily.
We must, however, be aware that some countries do not respect international laws and rulings. Therefore, preemptive measures against military aggression are often the best forms of communication.
This recent Venezuelan incursion is one which, I believe, helps to solidify Guyana’s appeal to the ICJ for our territorial controversy to be resolved in a timely and judicious manner. It is also basis for Guyana to seek the United Nation’s or our bilateral allies’ assistance in providing the necessary maritime support to help us secure our borders, since our own defense force lacks the technology and equipment to do so.
It is no secret, that national sovereignty for some countries are mere formalities. Unfortunately, Guyana at this juncture, is one of them. We simply do not have the capability to resist the military might of a real Venezuelan offensive. We also have persons in our political sphere who are dangerously flirtatious with the Venezuelans and even prepared to cede portions of our territory to them because of socialist sentiments.
Also, of great concern is Venezuela’s immediate alliance, military cooperation and partnership with Russia. The Russians, who are seeking to expand their political and military influence globally, have demonstrated that they do not always respect international laws nor the sovereignty of countries.
Two examples that come to mind are Russian’s 1979 to 1989 invasion and war with Afghanistan, and their annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea region early in 2014.
Venezuela, with their recent decision to have Russia set up a military base on La Orchila – an island just off Caracas, may very well feel empowered to move to annex our Essequibo region either prior or subsequent to any ruling by the ICJ in Guyana’s favour. Venezuelan nationalism would be energized and used to bolster domestic support for the Maduro regime, especially with the prospect of petroleum gains that are currently in exploration by Exxon.
Guyana would do well to encourage its key allies of Brazil, the United States and the United Kingdom to similarly increase military cooperation and the establishment of a permanent presence here, as counter measures to discourage any further Venezuelan ambitions and solidify Guyana’s territorial security.
Guyana may also wish to advance cooperation with the Surinamese who have historically used the occasions of Venezuelan aggression against Guyana to register their own claims.
If this suggestion sounds farfetched, we should consider what was done in Djibouti. Djibouti is a small Franco-Arab country in the horn of Africa with a population with a few thousand more than that of Guyana. Djibouti recency permitted the Chinese People’s Liberation Army to establish a military base in that country as part of their bilateral and military cooperation.
Djibouti also has an ongoing territorial claim against it by Eritrea. Eritrea had seized territory from Djibouti in 2008. Djibouti temporarily relied on Qatari military presence in 2010 to help occupy and recover their territory. Djibouti’s hosting of foreign military bases earns it over US$2.5 Billion for lease payments from the establishment of those bases in that country.
These are real happening in the real world which the Guyana government would do well to be cognizant of and take pro-active measures to activate locally in Guyana’s short- and medium-term trajectory.

Yours faithfully,
Orette Cutting

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