Critics slammed President Irfaan Ali for allying with President Trump in military operations in the Caribbean against drug trafficking and Nicholas Maduro. These critics are not up to the changes of geo politics in the region. President Trump is a different kind of American leader than his predecessors. If you are not on board with his regional or global policy, your country’s economy could be subjected to sanctions. President Irfaan, like PM Kamla in neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, has read the geo political situation right by teaming up with Trump and being included in the new regional body formed — Shield of Americas.. It has redounded to Guyana’s benefits — territorial security and production of energy (oil and gas) and access to funds. Trump has promised funds to combat narco trafficking.
Irfaan made a smart decision to side with USA (President Trump) against narco-traffickers and regional dictators. It is not forgotten that Maduro was a threat to Guyana’s territory and oil production. Irfaan and PM Kamla Persad Bissessar were the only CARICOM invitees to the Shield of Americas Summit on March 7 at Trump’s hotel in Doral, Miami where geo-security and anti-narcotics were discussed. Both leaders supported Trump’s policy against drug trafficking and the Venezuelan dictator Maduro who had threatened Guyana.
Irfaan and Kamla must be commended for the courage and conviction to side with USA (President Trump) against the opposition of their CARICOM colleagues. Given the social and economic problems Trinidad and Tobago faced, PM Kamla had no other choice but to side with USA, and given the security threats linked to recent bomb explosions in Guyana and claim to territory, Guyana needs American assistance to mitigate insecurity.
As a commentator in a Trini media put it, “It was a cold, calculated play for survival” of the T&T economy – to get approval for a gas deal with Venezuela and a loan from USA. It was a choice of siding with USA or facing economic pressure (opposition to the Dragon gas deal that T&T desperately needed and a US$1 B loan). In addition, criminal gangs from Venezuela were running amok in T&T, threatening the survival of the state. The country needs the Dragon Gas deal with Venezuela; Maduro was playing games over a deal. Venezuela had faced oil and gas sanctions; an exemption to the sanction was needed by T&T to pursue the deal. Collaborating with USA was critical for approval of the gas deal. If T&T had not sided with USA, the Dragon Gas deal would have been dead.
In the case of Guyana, we need USA as an ally against the threat from Venezuela. Both Guyana and T&T have limited resources to address border and geo-strategic issues. They have to team up with USA to face down a threat from drug traffickers and Venezuela. USA is protecting Guyana from threats of producing oil. Without oil, Guyana will not have financial resources to fund infrastructure development and to give cash grants.
Irfaan and Kamla rightly hitched their countries’ wagon to USA for energy and security opportunities and to acquire resources for national development. They were able to secure bilateral meetings with senior US officials and regional leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean. President Trump is a transactional leader. If you support his mission, you will be rewarded. Kamla and Irfaan met key figures in the American Administration – President Trump who focused on her name distinguishing it from Kamala (Harris) who the President defeated in November 2024 to win the Presidency. She also met former Homeland Secretary (now Americas Shield Envoy) Kristin Noemi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Trade Rep Jamie Greer, among others. These photo ops have gone down well in the diaspora and at home. President Irfaan also secured meetings with US cabinet officials.As long as Guyana sides with USA, oil and gas production in Guyana waters will be secured.
President Trump committed resources to the nations on narco-trafficking; he would assist countries to combat drug related violence and to eliminate gangs. President Irfaan should accept American offer and invite American security forces to collaborate with local police and military to tackle trafficking in drugs, gold, etc.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
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