In some circles in Guyana there might be sympathy for Republican Candidate Donald Trump in the US elections. It was the American Government under President Trump that intervened in the attempt by the APNU+AFC Government to rig the 2020 elections, resulting in the derailment of that nefarious plot. It was also the Republican Administration under President George H.W. Bush in 1990 that took a position for free and fair elections that ended a quarter century of fraudulent elections in 1992.
It was perceived by some in Guyana in 2015 that Western countries, led by the United States, had lost confidence in the PPP for reasons that are not quite clear. More recently, the current US Administration has called for inclusive governance in Guyana. Also, Democratic Majority Leader of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, publicly threatened to address the issue of racism in Guyana. These developments took place during Democratic Administrations. A clear difference can therefore be noted between the outcomes of the policies of the Republican and Democratic administrations. But these emphases on democratic governance and balanced policies are not inconsistent with the work of the US and related agencies in Guyana across the administrations of George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
It is wrong to believe that Republicans and Democrats have, or would have, materially different approaches to Guyana. Both are motivated by what they perceive to be American interests. Issues are different at different times and attract differing approaches. When President George H. W. Bush expressed to President Hoyte in his Republic Day message in 1990 the expectation that the elections later that year would be free and fair, thereby starting the process that led to October 1992, there was a specific background. ‘Communism’ was no longer considered to be a threat to the US. It could then tolerate a PPP government led by Dr. Jagan. US policy towards Guyana by both Republican and Democratic Administrations have been consistent and predictable.
In 2020, the public statements of and public positions by the US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other US officials, were consistent with US policy of free and fair elections in Guyana since 1990. Its unusually strong and interventionist position against the attempted rigging of the 2020 elections were consistent with US policy implemented through the Carter Center from 1990 and thereafter. No one knows, apart from the US declared objective of ensuring that free and fair elections prevailed, if any other considerations and, if so what, influenced the US’s role. What is certain is that the circumstances at different times under which US policies were devised and applied were apparently designed to meet those circumstances. For example, from 1990 the US saw democratic governance through free and fair elections as in its interests. Prior to that time, both Republican and Democratic administrations supported rigged elections in Guyana to keep out the ‘communist’ PPP.
Regardless of the history outlined above, most Guyanese residents would welcome a Harris Presidency. For starters, both major ethnic groups would identify with her because her mixed African and Indian origin. Her policies, which largely resemble those of a moderately social democratic nature, emphasizing health care costs, child care, education, housing, rising prices and lower taxes, are issues that Guyanese are very familiar with. Her overarching philosophy of looking out primarily for the interests of America’s middle class and working families would resonate in Guyana.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, is a frighteningly embittered human, much of whose policies are based on a fascistic ideological orientation. His major issues of concern are immigrants “poisoning the blood of Americans,” who he threatens to deport by the millions, tax cuts for billionaires, abortion bans and giving Israel an even freer hand to continue the genocide in Gaza. Trump threatens the ‘enemies within,’ such as executing former Republican Congresswoman, Liz Cheney. Trump is a deeply disturbed character whose vision of distorted reality is based on a white supremacist, Nazi-oriented, philosophy and will do great harm to the US and the world. His policies are completely alien to Guyanese who would never contemplate supporting him.
Since 1992 Guyana has charted a policy of friendship with the US and both have done much to develop the relationship. These efforts have intensified, particularly because of the US’s role in securing democracy in 2020, Guyana’s spectacular economic progress and the US’s strong support for Guyana’s invoking of the jurisdiction of the ICJ against Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo and its vocal disapproval of Venezuela’s aggression against Guyana. The US, which was silent on the issue from 1983, when first raised by Venezuela in the UN, until after 2001, has done so in the face of silence by Russia and China which have strong economic and diplomatic links with Venezuela.
Good relations with any US administration are vital for Guyana’s growth, development, freedom, security and territorial integrity. While it would be necessary for Guyana to work with any US administration that is elected by the US electorate, a Trump administration would not be good for the world and, in the long run for Guyana, whatever positive role his administration may have played in supporting democracy in Guyana in 2020.
(This column is reproduced with permission from Ralph Ramkarran’s blog, www.conversationstree.gy)
