Dear Editor,
I cannot help but feel a sense of long forgotten hope for my country when I read about the issue of President Maduro’s map-making exploits. For the first time in a long time, Guyanese have a common enemy. Venezuela’s outlandish claims can serve to be a unifying force in a country that, despite significant progress, still remains divided. For years now, any issue of national significance that arose generally involved the actions (or lack thereof) of a political party, and this sparked ill-will and resentment between many Guyanese. In this case, however, one’s political allegiances are irrelevant in this situation; it is the civic pride of all Guyanese that is now being called into question.
This conflict may be between Guyana and Venezuela, but make no mistake, this fight has spectators. The United States and others are watching intently to see how this scenario will play out and it is up to us to handle matters accordingly. Now is the time for Guyana to show that we are a country united and a country capable of handling our own affairs, both domestic and foreign. Minister Greenidge’s prompt assurance to get to the bottom of this sudden declaration is a positive sign, but more is needed. The government needs to ensure that an official statement detailing their position on this issue is made in order to communicate to citizens that they are giving this matter their full attention. While it will be quite interesting to see how this new government handles the situation, let us not forget the newly christened opposition. The People’s Progressive Party needs to put aside their differences with the government, denounce Venezuela’s declaration and encourage their voter base to lend their support to the government if only on this one crucial issue.
Venezuela’s claims are baseless and they shall have no territory whether on land or sea, that much is sure. What matters here is how this new Guyana projects itself to the world. Maduro had the audacity to claim our maritime space in a decree gazetted the day after our Independence anniversary. Both the government and opposition must ensure that it is made perfectly clear that Guyana will not tolerate such wanton disrespect for its boundaries or people under any government ever again.
Yours faithfully,
Craig Campbell
