Amid escalating tensions with Venezuela over offshore oil blocks and territorial claims, Joel Bhagwandin, a researcher and financial analyst, has underscored the critical importance of Guyana deepening its relations with the United States (US) and other allies to safeguard its stability and regional security.
In a recent analysis, Bhagwandin stressed the strategic significance of Guyana in the region and the need for the country to fortify its alliances amid the ongoing border dispute with Venezuela.
He emphasized that this imperative did not imply subjecting Guyana to disadvantageous imperialistic exploitation, as is being peddled by Caracas, but was rooted in the pursuit of overall prosperity and stability for the nation and its people.
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Bhagwandin highlighted, “Given Guyana’s strategic regional and geopolitical importance, Guyana needs to, now more than ever, ensure that it deepens its relations with the US and other allies for its stability and regional security–especially against the backdrop of the ongoing border controversy between Venezuela and Guyana.”
He further elaborated on the implications of geopolitical instability, citing examples such as Venezuela, where political, social, and economic crises have resulted in widespread poverty and economic devastation.
“Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro’s recent statements and threats revealed the obvious―that is, he wants Guyana to become a failed State like Venezuela by committing the very mistakes Venezuela made that landed them in their current social and economic crisis,” he wrote. “Should Guyana decide to pursue a similar path as Maduro is hoping for, Guyana will most certainly become a failed State, at which point the country will become more vulnerable to military invasion on the part of Venezuela, if it so wishes to seize two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Because in this scenario, the threat of the US’s military protection over Guyana’s territorial and sovereign integrity will no longer be an impediment for Venezuela.”
Bhagwandin’s remarks come as Venezuela intensifies its verbal and diplomatic attacks on Guyana, following Guyana’s opening of bids for 14 offshore oil blocks in its maritime waters. Venezuela has claimed that Guyana has no right to award blocks to oil companies in the region, asserting that it constitutes the “illegitimate exploitation” of the Essequibo region.
The Venezuelan National Assembly also passed a motion reaffirming its claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region. Additionally, President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has extended an invitation for direct dialogue with Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, via social media, a move perceived by Guyana as an attempt to disregard international law and the International Court of Justice’s authority in resolving the ongoing controversy.
Thus far, Guyana’s Opposition, the United States (US) government, CARICOM, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation of America States (OAS) have come out publicly, condemning Venezuela’s aggression.
