US wants Guyana put pressure on Venezuela

– Pompeo brands Maduro illegitimate, says time for him to go 

United States (US) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo said on Friday that the US expects that Guyana will give its full support to the push for democracy in Venezuela, as the US likewise threw its support behind the current Government for results of the recent elections to be declared.

Pompeo spoke extensively on the topic of democracy and Venezuela at his joint press conference with President Irfaan Ali at State House. He spoke to the fruitful relations he hopes will continue between Guyana and the US while noting that USAID has committed US$3 million for a locally-led programme for citizen involvement in the government and US$1.5 million for Guyanese youths to be involved in democracy.

“We know that Guyanese people cherish democracy, they cherish freedom, they value free, fair and transparent elections, just as Americans do, just as all people do. I was proud to publicly support the Guyanese people in their quest to have the results of the election respected. The results certainly took longer than any of us would have wished or hoped but it was worth fighting for; it was worth fighting to honor the people’s sovereign decision, that’s indeed what democracy is all about,” he told Members of the Government, diplomats and members of the media who had gathered.

During the recount of votes cast at the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Secretary Pompeo sent numerous tweets calling for democracy to be respected in Guyana; held press conferences where he announced visa sanctions on specific individuals the US believed were hindering democracy; and sent out statements cautioning the former David Granger-led Administration of greater consequences if the elections are not swiftly declared.

This is even as suppositions were circulating that the US’ push had to do with the former Government’s refusal of a request by the US Government to relay Voice of America (VOA) content to Venezuela utilising one of this country’s medium wave towers.

Nonetheless, on August 2, 2020, the election declaration took place and President Ali was sworn in. Travelling to Guyana for the two-day visit just over a month later, Secretary Pompeo congratulated President Ali noting that now is best time for the two nations to move forward with “even closer ties”.

While the US leader underscored that Guyana will now have to face big decisions on energy and future prosperity, he told the media that he also discussed with President Ali the threat of Venezuela nearby. He said that he expects that the US will receive Guyana’s full support regarding democracy.

“We talked about the need for democracy in Venezuela and to the illegitimate Maduro regime, a man who is denying that very democracy that the Guyanese people so love; denying that democracy for the people of Venezuela. You’ve been a strong partner for us on this issue, you’ve supported statements through the Organization of American States, through the LIMA Group…I trust that that corporation continues and I want to express my personal appreciation for Guyana’s hosting of the Venezuelans that have crossed inside of your country,” he said.

Pompeo was pleased to note that the US and Guyana have shared friendly relations for over 50 years and though this the first time that such as high-ranking US Official has visited, it will not be the last. He said that his interactions with the Government of Guyana have been “good centered” and that the United States is ready to partner with Guyana.

Pompeo’s visit has stirred up mixed emotions among Guyanese groups with the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) stating that history has proven time and again that such high-level US presence in a small Caribbean country hints at a larger agenda.

“WPA feels compelled to warn the Guyana government against entangling our country in the US-Venezuela conflict. It is a high-risk endeavor that is pregnant with outcomes that would be detrimental to Guyana’s territorial integrity and the country’s security, including its economic security. While we fully understand that having benefited from regime change, the PPP government is under pressure to repay its benefactors, Guyana’s safety is too high a price to pay,” the party stated.

Meanwhile, others like David Abdulah, leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), a political party in Trinidad and Tobago, have speculated: “A military invasion just before the November Presidential elections in the US is perhaps what Trump needs to boost his chances of winning. Indeed, he has spoken of an October surprise. Is this it? Guyana borders Venezuela. One can easily conclude that a logical agenda for Pompeo’s visit would be to enlist Guyana in a US plan for a military invasion.”

Guyana and Venezuela are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and advisors have told the Government that it is important for Guyana to maintain its initial position when treating with the Spanish speaking country – that is, non-interference in its internal affairs.