Dear editor,

THE eagle has landed. At the sound of the roar of the mighty engines, the swift and strong wings propelled a midair flight from neighbouring Suriname, to softly land effortlessly on the soil of this dear land of Guyana. Bearing the weight of the powerful high-ranking US official to visit this country, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, smilingly descended on this soil, having arrived for a much-anticipated and desired trip. The prolonged wait and terrible suspense has finally evaporated and this drama may prove to be a trauma, many already having experienced some degree of insomnia. As the red carpet treatment was rolled out to welcome this highly-distinguished guest, many Guyanese flocked the roads and streets to get a closer look and waved as he passed by, shouting in jubilation, appreciation and expectation. The friendliness of this multi cultured society ameliorated a regrettable past two weekends to distance a sadness, forging a fashionable recovery to extend a typical Guyanese felicitation with open arms and warmness.

In the absence of adequate public information, there have been many speculations regarding this sudden visit that has sprung as a surprise. “It is a regional visit and the visit obviously has interests of the US and has mutual benefits for all of the member states involved,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd told the news media. “The focus should be on economic co-operation and assistance, the assistance that we get on building our social pillars as well as security measures that are concerning to us. I think we should keep it simple. It is a visit. Don’t let’s confuse it with Venezuela,” he added. A US issued statement did confirm that Secretary of State Michael R.?Pompeo ?will travel to Paramaribo, Suriname; Georgetown, Guyana; Boa Vista, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; and Plano, Texas, September 17-20, 2020.? This trip will highlight the United States’ commitment to defend democracy, combat COVID-19 while revitalising our economies in the pandemic’s wake, and strengthen security against regional threats. In? Paramaribo, Secretary Pompeo will celebrate the triumph of democracy by meeting with recently-elected Surinamese President, Chan Santokhi and his Cabinet to discuss increased bilateral cooperation and opportunities for partnerships in energy and security. In Georgetown, Guyana, Secretary Pompeo is expected to congratulate newly-elected President, Irfaan Ali, and his Cabinet, and meet with CARICOM Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque. It is anticipated that he will reinforce the promise of a values-based U.S. partnership highlighting opportunities for more responsible and transparent private sector investment to increase prosperity for the people of Guyana, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regardless of the motives, Secretary Pompeo’s presence is pleasantly appreciated. After all the shenanigans employed by the APNU+AFC Party over the past 18 months, especially the past six months, starting with the NCM, the caretaker mode, GECOM Chair’s illegitimate election, the election fiasco, all the court battles at home and with the CCJ (which they lost),  the continuous Mingo rigging and fraud, the thwarting of democracy, the refusal to accept CARICOM’s election recount result, Lowenfield’s perversity and insubordination, Granger’s stubbornness to accede and all the hide and seek mischief, the country’s economy was locked down and the people’s lives were at a standstill. The APNU+AFC totally abused their power because of their control over all the relevant authorities and had no respect for the national and international community. Eventually, the pandemic stepped in to further complicate a dangerous situation. Luckily, the international community, including all the CARICOM heads and the diplomats from the ABCEU, continued to champion the cause to prevent a state of pariah and Granger seizing power illegally. It was the sanctions instituted by the US through the direct intervention of Secretary Of State, Mike Pompeo, that put a halt to the APNU+AFC bullish behaviour and that influenced them to change their attitude. His firm advice to them to “step aside” and to discontinue thwarting the popular will of the people so that the election process can be completed was the turning point so that democracy can once again prevail in this land.

To Mike Pompeo and entourage, Sir, the people of Guyana would like you to know that from the bottom of their hearts, they are much in debt to you for standing behind them in their struggle for freedom from the cabal and freeing Guyana from being held under siege. In a consolidated voice, we say thank you very much for protecting the suppressed people from further oppression and avoiding a dictator to form a rogue government. This has been one of the strongest testing moments in this nation and you stood like a guarding angel. But Sir, the war is far from being over, as witnessed from the horrendous events due to the racial innuendos openly incited by the leaders of the country’s destabilisers. Granger is in hiding after setting Berbice afire and Harmon continues to exert pressure on his party’s followers to remain aggressive. Those pretentious elements continue to flout law and order by behaving recklessly irresponsible, thereby causing unnecessary unrest and tremendous damage in the nation.  The destructive democracy busters flirt with all the rules and regulations and insist on a divide and rule infiltration so that, the people will be undermined and chaos and confusion will be the order of the day to jeopardise the economy and the lives of the people.

Sir, America and its officers and the rest of the international community have sacrificed a lot to ensure that a free and fair election provided a legitimate elected government, not once but twice (1992). Your coming here within a matter of weeks is an assurance for the people of this country that you will not allow vulgarity and hooliganism to dominate our streets and the safety and security of the peaceful people of this nation remains a matter close to your heart. We humbly implore you to widen the network and implement not only more visa restrictions but also financial sanctions on all those individuals who are committed to prevent democracy to survive and have an agenda filled with hate, malice, revenge, violence, corruption and other diabolic activities. Most Guyanese are prepared to unite and develop this country together as one people but there are known detractors who are bent on debilitating and incapacitating the struggling man in the street from making a decent living, hampering the progress of this nation from developing and callously wanting to impede the process of legitimate governance by the ruling administration. We trust your stay will be a comfortable one and you will be able to enjoy our renowned Guyanese hospitality. Your continued support to fight COVID-19 is solicited as we embark with our oil and gas industry as an amateur producer and, having to deal with an inherited contract that is not in the best interest of this poor nation, but one that was agreed to by a corrupted and greedy administration. The hard working people of this nation do need a break and they do need external influences so that the big conglomerate company can justify the treatment of fairness. Again Sir, we the loving people of this nation wish you and your party a warm welcome and again thank you most kindly for your overwhelming support.

Yours sincerely,
Jai Lall