THE rising military tensions between the United States and Venezuela have put Guyana and the wider Caribbean region in a very tough situation. Around 4,000 U.S. troops are heading to the southern Caribbean while Venezuela allegedly mobilises 4.5 million militia members.
President Irfaan Ali’s emphasis on “strong and experienced leadership” for Guyana is both timely and crucial. For Guyana, which has already faced repeated Venezuelan incursions into its waters and attacks on its defence forces along the Cuyuni River, this escalates into a serious threat to its sovereignty and economic stability.
President Ali’s statement that “intelligence from Guyana’s strategic partnerships has already exposed the presence of criminal enterprises and networks that are linked to destabilisation efforts in the region” highlights the complexity of this crisis.
This is not just a dispute between Washington and Caracas. It involves criminal networks, territorial goals, and competition among powerful nations that could change the security landscape of the Caribbean.
The timing of these tensions is especially concerning given Venezuela’s ongoing aggression toward Guyana. In this context, President Ali’s focus on leadership that is “respected and trusted by our partners” is vital.
The solid international support Guyana has garnered—from the Organisation of American States’ firm condemnation of Venezuelan threats to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning that an attack on Guyana would lead to “a very bad day for Venezuela”—shows the importance of strong, credible diplomacy.
When Rubio describes threatening Guyana as “a big mistake,” he acknowledges the trust and respect that current leadership has built over years of consistent governance. The opposition’s response to these serious challenges has been noticeably absent.
While criminal groups aim to destabilise the region and foreign powers position military assets in Caribbean waters, other candidates offer nothing more than what President Ali rightly calls “reckless statements” or strained relationships with international partners. This is the kind of weak leadership that Guyana cannot afford at this critical time.
The PPP/C government’s actions over the past five years contrast sharply with the actions and current situation of the opposition.
The passing of regional security legislation, like the Regional Security System Bill and CARICOM Arrest Warrant Bill, for instance, indicates a government that values collective security in an increasingly dangerous world.
As President Ali correctly points out, navigating this crisis needs “experience,” “international presence,” and the ability to make decisions “with maturity, respect, and credibility.”
These are not just political slogans; they are essential qualities for leadership that will determine if Guyana emerges from this situation stronger or falls prey to “false prophets” and “agents of destruction” who want to take advantage of regional instability for political gain.
The decision facing Guyanese citizens goes beyond party politics. It is a choice between proven leadership, which has secured international partnerships and built regional alliances, and untested alternatives that offer nothing but empty words while the country faces its biggest security challenge since independence.
At a time when intelligence networks reveal criminal activities and foreign powers are mobilising military resources, Guyana cannot afford weak leadership or political trial and error. The Caribbean’s status as a Zone of Peace is under direct threat. Only leadership that earns international respect and has the experience to handle complicated geopolitical issues can protect Guyana’s sovereignty and welfare.
President Ali’s call for unity and rejection of harmful political forces is not just about partisanship. It is a critical call for national survival in a world that is becoming increasingly dangerous.