Dr. Terrence Campbell, a prominent Guyanese, has launched a scathing attack on President Irfaan Ali’s government, accusing them of incompetence and a lack of preparedness in the face of escalating aggression from Venezuela. Campbell’s comments come after the government released a photo of the team assembled to discuss the growing Venezuelan threat—an image that he intimated underscores their inability to effectively address the situation.
The photo (below), posted on President Ali’s social media platform, and also Campbell’s features a group of officials, including key government figures, gathered around a table to discuss Venezuela’s incursion into Guyana’s waters on Saturday, March 1, 2024. Campbell wasted no time in using the image as a vehicle to express his “NO CONFIDENCE” in the government’s ability to respond to the ongoing aggression.
“I look at this picture, and I see a motley band discussing a matter of national security that could put us at risk,” Campbell remarked. “Where is Carl Greenidge, perhaps our leading diplomat? Why is Bharrat Jagdeo absent? These are the individuals who should be there, guiding this nation’s response, not the group that was pictured.”
Campbell also pointed out the absence of key military and diplomatic figures such as Brigadiers (ret’d) Bess and Lovell, Major General Joe Singh, Ronald Austin Snr, David Hales, and Riyad Insanally. He suggested their presence, even virtually, would have been crucial for a comprehensive discussion on how to strategically tackle the growing threat from Venezuela.
In his criticism, Campbell drew attention to several glaring issues with the current government’s handling of national security. He pointed out the unresolved report on the helicopter crash, once dismissed as a mere conspiracy but now suspect in light of recent events. “I once dismissed the idea that the helicopter was shot down as a conspiracy,” Campbell admitted. “But today, I am not sure there isn’t some truth in that theory.”
He also expressed concern over the army’s reported reluctance to travel to Makapa to extract soldiers, suggesting fear of possible threats from Venezuela. “This fear may be related to threats from Venezuela,” he speculated.
The most recent flare-up in tensions—Venezuela’s naval incursion into Guyana’s territorial waters—has highlighted, in Campbell’s view, the incompetence of Ali’s administration. “Are we, the Guyanese public, to be reassured by this picture of a motley group discussing the situation?” he asked rhetorically. “You can’t even distribute G$100K to the adult population, yet you expect me to believe you can ensure national security?”
In response to the escalating aggression, former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, retired Rear Admiral Dr. Gary Best, weighed in with his own assessment, describing Venezuela’s actions as a shift from “soft power” to “hard power.” Best warned that the situation was no longer one of diplomatic maneuvering but rather one of military aggression that demanded a serious, strategic response. Campbell echoed Best’s sentiments, emphasizing that the Ali administration’s failure to take these threats seriously only undermines the nation’s security.
Campbell continued to hammer the government’s lack of unity and inclusiveness during a critical moment in the nation’s history. “In a time when unity is crucial, this administration continues to shut out vital voices, which only weakens our ability to respond to these national security threats.”
His criticism was direct and clear: “Call me disloyal if you will, but I have no confidence in this group.”
In a final sarcastic comment, Campbell concluded, “Maybe I should stop worrying and go cook some chicken curry!”
The public has yet to see any meaningful action or statements from key leaders on how the government plans to respond to Venezuela’s growing aggression. The absence of crucial figures, the lack of transparency surrounding past incidents, and the failure to unify the nation’s leadership in the face of external threats all contribute to mounting frustrations among many Guyanese.
Campbell’s remarks come at a time when national unity and strong leadership are desperately needed, but instead, Guyanese find themselves questioning whether those in charge are truly up to the task.
