Make the most of Rubio’s visit to Guyana

Mar 24, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor

I hope that this letter will be not be too late, as my purpose is quite sincere. You see, I am aware that the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will be in our region shortly. The details show that “… he will meet with several leaders as part of a three-nation tour.” On Wednesday, Rubio will travel to Jamaica, where he will be hosted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for talks. Then he will then travel on to Guyana and Suriname, where he will meet with their respective presidents, Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi.” Where Guyana is concerned, I am so pleased that Rubio will meet with our oil-rich country’s Head-of-State, as we are now quite in the spotlight, and intricately linked with the US.

We need to welcome the man and make the most of the opportunity to express our concerns, as we have two pressing ones at the moment. I speak first about the looming spectre of the border controversy between our Guyana and Venezuela. We are all cognizant of the fact that the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has accused President Ali of trying to start an armed conflict in the region. This is so nonsensical, as Guyana has always gone the legal way, and in every case did come out as the winner. My concern is that Guyana’s quest for legal adherence and amicable relations with Venezuelan is seen by Madura as some sort of weakness and fear. In fact, still fresh on my mind is that a Venezuelan army vessel entered Guyanese waters, threatening ExxonMobil’s offshore operations. I am also mindful of desires by Venezuela to have a Governor, theirs, of Essequibo, and there are talks about cartographically annexing Essequibo. These issues must be broached.

I further elaborate that this illegal, unethical and presumptuous incursion by this Venezuelan army vessel must prompt Guyana to remind Rubio that the incident threatens ExxonMobil’s oil operations in Guyana’s internationally recognised maritime territory. On this note, the OAS (Organisation of American States) noted that “Such acts of intimidation constitute a clear violation of international law, undermine regional stability, and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations. (And thus) The OAS reiterates its steadfast support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity… (and as such) The Venezuelan regime must immediately cease all aggressive manoeuvres that could escalate tensions in the region.”

Where the US is concerned, it is good to take some refuge as its Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere also reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity, adding that “further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime,” and rightly so. Afterall, the US and Guyana relationship is most salubrious. I personally think that Maduro will not prevail and may not ‘even try anything.’ However, Guyana must not take chances but must stand in unison with its allies, namely the US, and be ‘well-prepped’ for any contingency.

Yours truly,

Ray Anderson

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