President Trump, Guyanese Americans & Guyana

President Trump finished a year into his second term last January 20. Despite several legal cases against him and uttering controversial remarks against minorities, Trump won large percentages of immigrant American voters in November 2024 winning a second term, an accomplishment thought unimaginable a few years earlier. His victory was bolstered by increased support from all ethnic groups in traditionally strong Democratic neighborhoods. Minorities, including Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Indian Americans, Guyanese of all ethnicities, traditional Democrats, almost doubled their support for Trump from 2016 and 2020.

Trump expanded his support among Guyanese, West Indian, and Indo-Caribbean people in the 2024 election. There was a significant shift in support for rump in Guyanese neighborhoods like Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Rockaway, Woodhaven, Jamaica, Queens Village, Briarwood, Hollis, etc. in Queens, in Bronx (Parkchester, Westchester, Fordham, Grand Concourse and other sections) and in Brooklyn especially on the border to Queens like Cypress Hills. There was also a significant increase in Muslim support for Trump. His numbers went up among every ethnic group since the 2016 and 2020 elections, including among Indo and Afro Guyanese Americans. Half Indo-Guyanese voted for Trump and some 15% Afro Guyanese. They complained that Biden-Harris Administration mishandled the economy, public safety, and immigration and raised their taxes. They flipped to Trump.

Trump’s first year in his second term saw monumental changes in US domestic and international policy. America First defined Trump’s foreign policy and immigration raids against illegals dominated news in his domestic policy. His approval rating has fallen. Yet, Trump remains popular in his base including among Guyanese who voted for him in 2024. Political observers have struggled to understand why Guyanese (and other minorities) voted for Donald Trump in 2024 and largely remain fiercely loyal supporters in spite of declining popularity. There is something about Trump that draws people; he is charismatic, feared and respected even by those who criticize him. Those Guyanese who voted Trump saw him as heroic and admirable. He has no permanent friends, only permanent interests for USA. This explains Guyanese Americans courted him in the interests of Guyana and the diaspora in USA and even proposed the idea of Guyana being an adjunct of USA for protection from Venezuela, a smart geostrategic move to protect their homeland from Maduro.

Trump has been the most powerful leader globally since January 2025, giving leadership the likes of which America never experienced. It’s been unabashedly “America First”. No ruler or country can challenge or defy Trump without consequences except perhaps China and Russia, both of which have very powerful militaries although the latter’s economy is in shambles. China’s economy remains very strong. Trump made it clear in his campaign and in his first day in office in January 2025 that he will be the most powerful president in modern history. And he has been the most powerful President in USA and around the world. Trump simply doesn’t like people or country hostile to him or to America and he doesn’t take no for an answer. He brought countries to their knees as we have seen over the last year, using tariffs to get his way for what is best for USA. He could get away with his policy because USA is the world’s largest economy and militarily most powerful country. Every country depends on USA for trade. Trump did whatever to advance American interests.

Because of the respect Trump commanded, the America First policy, and his anti-immigrant stance, several Guyanese Americans courted Trump, strategically promoting a policy of close ties (adjunct) between Guyana and USA. It was thought such a move would protect Guyana from Venezuela and Guyanese (legal and undocumented) immigrants (diaspora) in USA. Critics and naysayers like Freddie Kissoon and other left-wing detractors assailed the strategy of courting Trump and proposing Guyana’s closeness with USA, mocking it. Freddie laughed at USA and Trump, feeling it is comical to tie up Guyana with USA which he described as a declining power and a declining influence of its currency. Freddie does not understand geo-politics and international relations. Freddie has a penchant for misinforming readers about the Guyanese American strategy of tying up with USA, pushing hate and an unenlightened and idiotic agenda, all the while annihilating truth. Freddie never did anything to build a community in Toronto or Grenada or Georgetown where he lived, but seeks to destroy others who attempt to build and protect Guyana. Vice President Jagdeo and Guyana government know he only attacks and destroys, and as such they ignored him and other critics. The government, under Jagdeo’s enlightened thinking, has courted Trump, hiring a lobbying firm with former closely tied Trump’s staff. Guyanese in USA, including this writer, have also been lobbying the President and his administration as well as members of the Republican Congress directly for policies beneficial to Guyana. The strategy of linking Guyana with USA seemed to have been working. Trump has temporarily removed the Maduro threat that has been claimed two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. So far, the number of Guyanese deported has been minimal, and they were largely those involved in crimes as opposed to just being illegal in USA.

Half of the Guyanese diaspora in USA have praised Trump for his pro-business platform and tough-on-crime approach and against illegal criminal immigrants. But they don’t support his crackdown on all illegal immigrants, pointing out that most are hard-working and honest and contribute significantly to the economy. Guyanese contribute enormously to the US economy in all fields of endeavor, contributing more than they receive. And they feel bad that some good undocumented people were deported; they hope others will be left alone and become regularized.

Guyanese Americans who voted Trump are confident things will improve in USA. But will they vote Republican next time with Trump not on the ballot. Guyana should not get on the wrong side of Trump by allying with American competitors who challenge the “Dunroe” Doctrine.