Opinion: Guyana Needs to Support US Action in Venezuela

Published: 6th of May, 2019 by Patrick Carpen

Last updated: October 25, 2022 at 1:42 am

As the United States increases pressure on Maduro to step down from government, the world becomes more and more critical of US Sanctions and the role it is playing in Venezuela. In fact, a recent Washington based report suggests that US Sanctions are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Venezuelans. But while no one is a fan of US Sanctions or the use of force in effecting regime change, the reality hits home that Guyana needs to support US action in Venezuela.

Recently, the Guyana Government released a statement that it does not support the use of force in ousting Maduro, and earlier, it had refrained from endorsing US backed self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido.

But are these actions really in the best interest of Guyana? Here’s the reality: the only thing stopping Maduro from disrupting Guyana’s oil explorations is the fear of the US military coupled with its own economic troubles.

Maduro has already made it clear that the Essequibo belongs to Venezuela, and that he is not going to accept the ruling of any international power in this regard. In fact, Venezuela offers ID cards to all Guyanese living the Essequibo since 2015. But who is excited about becoming another starving Venezuelan?

What the the Guyana government needs to understand at this point is that if Maduro defies US efforts to oust him, and if the Venezuelan economy regains traction under Maduro’s rule, Guyana’s oil exploration (and general well-being) will be in serious jeopardy.