While APNU/AFC politicians and supporters are hurriedly claiming
victory, the Organization of American States Observer Mission in Guyana has released an official statement on March 13 which says that Guyana‘s democracy has suffered a “terrible blow.”
The legitimacy of any government
that is installed in these circumstances will be open to question. This
would be a terrible blow to the country’s democracy. The people of Guyana do not deserve this.
That means that the Organization of American States would not
recognize the Granger Administration as a legitimate government if the
APNU/AFC presidential candidate is sworn in. And this spells serious
trouble for Guyana.
What is the Organization of American States?
The Organization of American States is super-powerful military
alliance consisting of 35 countries including the United States and
Canada. An attack on one country is considered an attack on all, and
demands military assistance. Guyana,
being a member state of the OAS would be eligible for protection under
the treaty, but only a legitimate government would be supported.
In the event of a dictatorship, the OAS would support the opposition.
That means that if armed conflict arises between an illegitimate
government and an opposition, the OAS would most likely back the
opposition – especially if it recognizes the opposition as the
democratically elected government displaced by a rigged election – which
is clearly the case with Guyana.
