Dear Editor,
I am watching the unthinkable happening in Guyanese these days. Who would ever have thought that American interests would come under threat in Guyana? America loses clout in Arabia, but in Guyana is king. For all that we know, this is unprecedented, for even in our worst days, American interests and American security were somehow always in a special zone, one that is off-limits, definitely was not to be tampered with. Even if the threat is still getting off the ground, the Americans have fired the first warning shot.
The release from the US Embassy was terse: a state of “high alert” due to threats to American interests, which I read as business and people, in that order. What is going on here, given this abrupt, tense development? Whose toes did the Americans step on? What is the source of this menace? It had to be a serious threat, one taken seriously by the Americans, notwithstanding whatever could be the real purposes of the security alert. Given their sources and resources, the reach of their manpower, means, and methods, I detect a threat of some significance, even if in the zeal of what was properly described “as an abundance of caution.” It is one to be taken seriously, every circumstance considered. America has had lengthy experience with threats of every imaginable nature; its people can smell one, long before it gathers momentum. I think that this could be the case in this instance.
As is well known by now, the US has been closely and deeply involved in many sensitive aspects of Guyanese life. To offer one example, the US State Department recently issued its 2022 country reports. The one that covered Guyana was not so positive, and spoke somewhat negatively about the state of law enforcement in this country, with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) coming in for less than positive recognition. Killings, with one of the most high-profile executions in recent years, were concerning enough to attract special mention. Names of the well-known and well-connected in Guyana have swirled around that particular murder, which does not make either the GPF or the Govern-ment of Guyana smell too well. Given the fact that the GPF does not operate with the kind of independence that it should have, then this makes many of the most powerful in Guyana look bad, if not very agitated.
Now, when concerns about gold smuggling and money laundering are added to that already volatile stew, it could be appreciated why the United States Embassy went on the offensive with its preemptive security alert, and the associated call for care and caution by its citizens. The Americans know what they know, given their range of human and technology assets, and it is a lot, most likely more than the Government of Guyana itself knows. Also, the Americans know who is who in this country, who are under their radars, what moves they have pending, and where all of this could lead. It is my belief that the Americans cast the widest of nets, and they are readying to make their moves, through tightening the noose on some people slowly, but surely. This security alert, therefore, is nuanced preparation of the ground, for when they are ready to take action. It is the first step in a sophisticated chess game, involving real people, real threats, and real interests that could be targeted. Americans are very good at this, and getting better all the time.
What are these American interests that can be under siege? By process of elimination, American companies (and those of their friends) located here in Guyana would have arranged their own high-voltage security machinery. I am thinking of something akin to a Blackwater type setup, which is made even more convenient, when its satellite presence in nearby Barbados is considered. Those companies, therefore, would not need any assistance, besides intelligence and threat assessments, to take care of themselves and their interests, the most valuable of which are offshore, anyhow.
Remove them from the threat and interests’ matrix, and who and what are left? I do not think that Venezuela would be so reckless; nor any Middle Eastern entities, not even those operating as proxies. The PNC could be removed from the threat equation, and so also the PPP, which is doing its best to impress the Americans, and not to get on the wrong side of them. I think that this narrows the possible people of interest to those who are well-equipped with the proper hardware, and have money to burn. There are only a few people of such potency in Guyana, capable of bringing it to bear. They could make things happen, and are brazen enough to consider challenging the mighty US, if they believe that they are being backed into a corner, and the game is up. The Americans are watching, ready.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall