By Dr Bertrand Ramcharan
Seventh Chancellor of the University of Guyana
The November/December issue of the authoritative journal, Foreign Affairs, is devoted to the theme of ‘The Return of Total War’ – a new era of comprehensive conflict, such as is taking place in Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine. The message is a straightforward one: States are prone to engage in total war, and the risk of total war is ever present over disputes in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and elsewhere. Another message is that Governments must be prepared in the eventuality of total war.
Venezuela has openly threatened to seize two thirds of Guyana’s national territory by force and has, recently, reportedly been engaged in “orchestrated cyber operations targeting Guyana.” Venezuela is an autocratic country where the guard-rails of democracy are absent. The risk of aggression against Guyana must not be minimised. Autocracy and aggression often go together.