Dear Editor,
As a serious student of international politics, the invasion of Guyana’s territory, even though it is claimed by Venezuela, defies a logical analysis. Venezuela appears as a bully – a big oil-rich powerful nation smashing a small indefensible nation – by its actions. There was no need for President Hugo Chavez (if indeed he ordered the action) to blow up the dredges even if the disputed territory were Venezuela’s. The rational action for the Venezuelan government or army was to sound a warning to the dredges, similar to what Suriname did when it objected to drilling for oil in disputed territory. Also, Venezuela could have arrested the operators of and seized the dredges pending an investigation and discussion with Guyana’s Foreign Ministry. In short, the matter could have been resolved peacefully without the use of violence and the dredge owners losing money.
At a time when the Venezuelan President has been under the international spotlight for a variety of actions and policies and the recent referendum, picking a fight with little Guyana was not called for. Chavez, who prides himself as a Socialist, should not have beaten up on a little brotherly socialist nation, which also happens to be his helpless neighbour. Socialists don’t behave that way. Even hard-core imperialist leaders would not have proceeded with such a tough response against a defenceless nation that meant no harm in dredging for minerals.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
