Dear Editor,

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips have emerged as the two most skillful, talented, and adept leaders of Guyana in recent times. Not only are they a solid and well-coordinated team, but they are also visionary leaders with the ability to develop the country, uplift the people and in three years transition Guyana from an underdeveloped country to a developed nation. They are also very fortunate to have the experience of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to guide and provide them with the practical and functional advice on governance. Mr. Jagdeo, who is longest reigning President of Guyana (1999-2011) is perhaps the most knowledgeable, skillful and proficient leader in the country. He is considered one of the most informed and experienced leaders in the country and perhaps in the Caribbean.

President Dr. Ali in particular, has exalted the values of the people and praised them for their cooperation and bravery during its most difficult times, especially the sudden and unfortunate deaths of five senior military personnel and the on-going border controversy with Venezuela.

Not to mention the conflagration at the Madhia dorm that claimed the lives of twenty precious children. During these major crises President Dr. Ali and Prime Minister Phillips were courageous and steadfast in their commitment and determination to defend the sovereignty of the country and prevent such disasters from happening as they led the nation in prayers and healing.

On the border controversy, no one can dispute that it was heavily on the minds of most Guyanese, however, their fears were calmed by His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips who assured them that they are doing everything in their power to make sure Guyana will not yield a square inch to Caracas.

His Excellency was forthright in his efforts to apprise members of the international community of the dangerous threats by the Maduro regime to use force to seize the county of Essequibo which comprised of 74 per cent of Guyana’s territory. At all regional, hemispheric and international forums, President Ali has emphasised the need for stability, peace and cooperation in the Western Hemisphere, but has insisted that the Maduro regime intention to unilaterally to seize Essequibo could destabilise the Caribbean region, which has been designated as a zone of peace. Venezuela is fully aware of the peace that has existed in the Caribbean but has chosen to ignore it.

While President Dr. Ali was informing the international community about the threats posed by Venezuela, Prime Minister Phillips was addressing the nation at home. He told the people that the government and the opposition are fully united in their resolve that the 1899 Arbitral Award is the ‘full, final and perfect’ settlement of the matter and that he and President Ali are confident that the border controversy will be settled peacefully at the ICJ.

The Prime Minister has reassured the citizens that the claims by Venezuela are bizarre and baseless and that Essequibo which is rich in minerals belongs to Guyana. In his address to the Organisation of American States (OAS) in November 2023, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has made it abundantly clear that Guyana is a peaceful nation, and that the Maduro’s regime unfounded and baseless claim of Essequibo has no validity, bearing, or standing in international law.

Many social scientists have contended that the two-prong approach which was brilliantly crafted and used by President Dr. Ali and PM Phillips has yielded positive results. It has not only caught the Maduro regime by surprise, but it has isolated Venezuela from the international, hemispheric and regional organisations, especially the OAS, CARICOM, and the Commonwealth of Nations, among others.

A dumb-founded and desperate Maduro quickly realised that his credibility has been shattered and that he had lost the support of and respect from the international community. As tensions mount over the border controversy, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a meeting between Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Dr. Irfaan Ali.

However, President Dr. Ali held the firm position that the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela was not up for discussion, as the matter is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He insisted that the government of Guyana remained committed to a peaceful and legal process to resolve the border controversy in order to secure and protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Essequibo is integral to the development of Guyana.

Based on media reports, the meeting which has been a success for peace for the Latin America and the Caribbean region was attended by several organisations and government representatives from the Caribbean and Latin American. The meeting ended with a commitment by Venezuela and Guyana to not use military force and cooperate to prevent incidents on the border; and a continued dialogue to tackle all outstanding issues.

Guyanese at home and in the diaspora regardless of their status, ethnicity, race or party affiliation should commend President Dr. Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips for their spirited and strong-willed approach to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such a heroic display of patriotism, courage and dedication is a testimony of their genuine and devoted love for Guyana. If nothing else, they have succeeded in reducing or ending the threats by the Maduro regime and hence, ease the fears of the nation.

Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose