It is totally disgusting, shameful and in poor taste that CARICOM leaders would not say a word of the illegal, counterfeit government in Guyana, following the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) ruling that the Granger government is unconstitutional. President Granger and his cohorts refused to obey the CCJ’s ruling that general elections must be called in Guyana by September 18.
September is on its way out, yet not a whisper has emanated from the lips of Brigadier Granger. Kudos to US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch and UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, and European Ambassador, Fernando Ponz Canto, all of whom are credited for showing international leadership and playing a peaceful and meditative intervention in CARICOM affairs, while CARICOM Heads of Government have opted to turn a blind eye. More tragic and mischievous is that Guyana is at the epicenter of CARICOM.
CARICOM’s leaders talk about the situation in Venezuela, among several other international issues; yet in their backyard they have all turned their caulked ears to the decaying democratic and human rights issues. Given the present scenario, one can safely conclude that CARICOM is aiding and abetting the illegal government in Guyana.
To quote foreign diplomats: “The situation comes at a great cost to the people of Guyana. The prevailing political uncertainty undermines Guyanese institutions, compromises economic opportunities and delays the development across all areas, including infrastructure, education, health and social services. It also hinders our ability to support Guyana’s development needs”. The statement continued: “We, therefore, call upon the President to set an elections date immediately in full compliance with Guyana’s Constitution.”
The statement should have come from CARICOM, and it demonstrates that CARICOM is not aware of, is not fully au courant with the principles of international diplomacy in all its forms and fashions.
It appears that CARICOM wants another Forbes Burnham style of governance in Guyana, to again cause citizens to flee the country as they did in droves in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s.
I humbly suggest that CARICOM be disbanded just as the West Indies Federation in 1958. The annual CARICOM rituals are a total waste of time. Hard-earned tax-payers’ dollars could be directed to education of children instead of talk shops and cocktail parties. To demonstrate its disgust, Trinidad and Tobago should set the parameter and withdraw from CARICOM its membership has grown into a liability.
CARICOM is bent on disintegration because it is an indiscipline and careless institution, and it is making the Caribbean people a laughing stock around the globe, especially at the United Nations, and in the Commonwealth.