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Venezuela is on the move. Guyana is yet to get into a groove. Venezuelans are being whipped into a state of impassioned frenzy by their leaders. Guyanese leaders, none more than those in the seat of government, are a picture of complacency. Something is wrong here, when I ponder the sweep and intensity of developments across the border, versus what I will term the languid nonchalance of leaders and events here. What is it that could be in play at the ruling party level, but of which the Guyanese people are in the dark? What is it that we, the Guyanese, need to understand, but of which not much enlightenment has been forthcoming? I share my thoughts.
First, Senor Nicholas Maduro has dug a hole for himself, and with a corner for company. He has backed himself into a dead end and deals with development from a place of severe disadvantage. In fact, I would proceed to say that Senor Maduro has eliminated any wiggle room he once had, and left himself without any escape valve. Retreating is not an option; not with a resurgent opposition, not with a hawkish military, including a general whose grip is all over the Syndicatos. The people over there are roused, and the territory is ripe for instigation and exploitation. As Guyanese know by now, the political territory in Venezuela is being tilled and hoed enthusiastically, and with eyes cast on encircling territory right here, as in Essequibo. In my view, the December 3rd Referendum is over, and that is said from this date; it doesn’t even have to be rigged. Not with decades of indoctrination of how much of what belongs to whom. Therefore, Senor Maduro does not even have the luxury of standing still, while standing down is out of the question. This is not healthy for Guyana, even in the most subdued interpretation.
Second, Guyanese are grappling with the number of Venezuelans living here. I am. Is it 50,000 or 100,000 of our neighbors? I lean towards the higher number as the baseline. If north of 100,00, the question is by how much. My understanding is that these ‘economic migrants’ are well-placed in the Northwest area, and in some instances outnumber Guyanese in other parts of the local environment. Venezuelans are present in the Essequibo Islands, and have a hefty presence in several areas in Region Four. Cumulatively, this is not an inspiring development when a tenth (or more) of Guyana’s population is made up of citizens umbilically attached to a hostile neighbor. It is even more uninspiring and concerning when there is a network of Guyanese who are active participants in ferrying and placing incoming Venezuelans from one point to another in the rural areas of this country. In some respects, this is backtracking in reverse, i.e., in this direction, but with official clearance. Before moving on, I painstakingly make this point again: as a former migrant in many locales, and with all of its ups and downs, there is a soft spot for migrants. But with what has all the appearance of a well-thought-out blueprint, this is no longer about economic migration, but what is a well-organized full-scale occupation.
Third, there should have been, has to be, a limit to the PPP Government’s open border hospitality, which now assumes ominous overtones, and from within the bosom. It is inordinately difficult to dislodge or return tens of thousands of dug-in and elusive immigrants, who have been incited and incentivized by their own and this leadership to some extent, probably with shady intent. Regarding the latter, absorb this scenario. A Guyanese employed some Venezuelans as part of a construction team on his premises. Guyanese census officials visited and gathered information from the Guyanese, and the Venezuelans also. When questioned by the Guyanese as to what address was being used for the Venezuelans, the census officials replied that it was his. I trust that the thoughtful could see where this goes relative to ID cards, and what that empowers holders to do. The concern is how widespread is this local practice, and its implications for Guyana’s democracy. From my perspective, what the PPP Government has soft-pedaled and sugarcoated now comes back to haunt us. To try for an edge to retain power by these means is not just sinister, but rankly traitorous.
Fourth, I am still waiting for a sense of urgency from the government. The President did not help matters with his foray into military dress. Also, it was most obscene on the part of the former President to attack the Opposition Leader (even if such may be justified) during his last press conference in October. It is vulgar at a time like this, and such a short distance from the Government-Opposition gathering on the Venezuelan situation. Though it may be the most strenuous of undertakings for the VP, politics has to go. Governance must begin. This is not the yawn of another day at the office.
Fifth, I think a blunder occurred with that court appeal on the Venezuelan Referendum. The referendum is a purely internal matter (“internal construct”, per CARICOM), and beyond the purview of any external court. International updates, yes; but what about the domestic front?
Sixth, beyond the Sectoral Committee development, there has not been much more. There should already have been plans for a full parliamentary session to flesh out the Venezuelan developments and with the proper resolutions following, plus a step-by-step intensification of this matter before every Guyanese. This should have started from the inception, without any letup in energy and focus.
Seventh, I am still to observe or learn of Guyanese decision-makers escalating these Venezuelan developments to the place where they belong. It is shocking that people who are so skilled at propaganda are so sluggish at this point in time on a matter of calamitous proportions. Why is this so? What is going on, really going on? What is it that Guyanese need to know now that they don’t?
In this time when the country and people should be in a state of heightened awareness (and vigilance), those in charge are carrying on as though this too will pass. It may be delayed, and take circuitous twists. But the Venezuelan issue is not going away anytime soon, or with any degree of finality. These are among the elements that ought to have been ingrained into Guyanese from inception, without any letup in energy and focus. Leaders haven’t. Citizens also are not in that frame of mind.
