The important role of CARICOM – a reminder to leaders

It is in the context of questionable pronouncements made recently by some CARICOM leaders that Village Voice News is publishing this article. Those pronouncements – by foreign CARICOM officials – refer to Venezuela’s unfounded claim to three-fifths of Guyana’s territory, as well as inflammatory, destabilising rhetoric and actions by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Also, it is noted that while those questionable pronouncements can be interpreted as falsely equating Guyana’s position with that of Venezuela – other CARICOM leaders have remained unacceptably silent on the matter.

Perhaps, some misguided leaders need to be reminded of the role of the organisation.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), established in 1973, had  the primary aim of promoting economic integration and cooperation among its member states. CARICOM was also intended to foster unity, solidarity, and coordination of foreign policy among Caribbean nations. The overarching goal has always been the economic, social, and cultural development of the region. As the Caribbean faces various external threats and challenges, the need for unity among CARICOM countries has become increasingly imperative, relevant, and indispensable.

While it is acknowledged that CARICOM is not a security-centric body like NATO, leaders must take note that none of CARICOM’s stated goals can possibly be achieved if any of its member states is under a security threat.

Leaders are reminded that one of the key purposes of CARICOM is to create a single market and economy within the Caribbean region, thereby enhancing the collective bargaining power of its member states in the global arena. Only by working together – and unequivocally supporting each other on absolutely all fronts – can CARICOM countries leverage our combined resources and influence to address common challenges and hurdles.

CARICOM’s leaders are reminded that in the face of external threats, including geopolitical tensions and territorial claims, unconditional unity among CARICOM countries is crucial for safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the region. The ongoing territorial grab by Venezuela against Guyana is a case in point. Venezuela’s claim to a significant portion of Guyana’s territory has been a longstanding source of tension, and the recent escalation of this issue – initiated by Venezuela – has underscored the importance of CARICOM solidarity in defending the territorial integrity of member states.

The threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity from Venezuela serves as a compelling argument for the need for absolute unity among CARICOM countries. By presenting a united front, CARICOM can amplify its diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter through peaceful means, while also sending a clear message to all external actors – such as the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela – that any aggression against one member state will be met with collective resistance from the entire Caribbean community.

Furthermore, leaders must bear in mind that unity among CARICOM countries is essential for addressing broader security concerns, including transnational crime, drug trafficking, and illegal migration. By coordinating their efforts and sharing intelligence, CARICOM member states can enhance their capacity to combat these common threats.

Finally, some CARICOM leaders may wish to make note of the fact that the world is changing at breakneck speed. As such, today Guyana may desire your support, but tomorrow, you may desperately need Guyana to come to your aid. As such, Guyanese should expect nothing less than the unequivocal, unwavering, and absolute support from all CARICOM territories and officials in response to Venezuela’s aggressive behaviours.