President Irfaan is reported to have stated that “We must not do anything to risk partnership with USA” (front page KN June 28).
Irfaan is spot on in understanding the role of geopolitics and economics and the power of USA to influence investment as well as to shape government formation overseas. Guyana will perish without American presence and protection. Bharrat Jagdeo has also mastered geopolitical studies since the ouster of PPP from office in 2015; he is indisputably the leading political thinker and strategist not only in the party but nationally. He and Irfaan, the two dominant forces in the party and government, understand well the consequences of being anti Washington and going against American business interests (critical of Exxon and other American companies operating in Guyana). This is in sharp contrasts with earlier leaders and policymakers from the 1950s onwards thru the collapse of communism in 1990. When as a young political science student in university from 1977 onwards, repeated unrequested advice to PPP leadership on significance and consequences of American geopolitics in Guyana and the Caribbean region went unheeded. The party was not allowed to return to office well the collapse of communism in the country’s first democratic elections. That is an ample example of Washington’s geopolitical power to keep unfriendly parties out in order to protect its national interests.
President Irfaan remarks not to alienate Guyana from USA suggest that he understands geopolitics and the power of Washington. Other political leaders should take a cue. The USA has the wherewithal to undermine or remove or protect governments. It has done so repeatedly throughout the Americas and Caribbean and even in far away places in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The PPP administration erred in attacking USA on its Independence Day celebrations in 2014. There were consequences in 2015. And the USA does not take kindly to governments that befriend its enemies. It was a serious error for Guyana policymakers to befriend radical rulers in the Middle East and elsewhere; Guyana suffered economically and found itself alienated from Washington. Guyanese rulers seem to learn from those blunders and have been courting USA over the last several years since the production of oil, and moreso, since the most recent existential threat from Venezuela that followed the discovery of energy resources in Guyana waters. Since he became leader of the PPP in 2017, Jagdeo has been courting Washington, resulting in the return to power in 2020.
Guyanese politicians must understand American policymakers’ intentions and the national interests of the most powerful nation globally and in the history of international politics. They must understand the guiding principles of American foreign policy regardless of who occupies the White House. American national security and economic interests do not change. Geo strategic security does not change; it has been the lynchpin of American foreign policy which is deeply connected to domestic politics. That is why Washington can bomb Iran, remove Saddam Hussein, and topple Khaddafy and other bad political actors, among other actions.
Irfaan and Jagdeo know one cannot mess with USA or American companies. Any political party that has a hint of anti-Americanism or is opposed to American business interests will not have bright prospects. Pay heed to the geo politics of Washington, and as Irfaan advise do not risk the partnership with USA. USA is guarantor of Guyana’s security and energy production to enrich the nation.
Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram (Pol Sci)
