Dear Editor,
Trump’s first year in his second term saw monumental changes in US domestic and international policy. America First defined Trump’s foreign policy and immigration raids against illegals dominated news in his domestic policy. His approval rating has fallen. Yet, Trump remains popular in his base including among Guyanese who voted for him in 2024. Political observers have struggled to understand why Guyanese (and other minorities) voted for Donald Trump in 2024 and largely remain fiercely loyal supporters in spite of declining popularity. There is something about Trump that draws people; he is charismatic, feared and respected even by those who criticize him. Those Guyanese who voted Trump saw him as heroic and admirable. He has no permanent friends, only permanent interests for USA. This explains why Guyanese Americans courted him in the interests of Guyana and the diaspora in USA and even proposed the idea of Guyana being an adjunct of USA for protection from Venezuela, a smart geostrategic move to protect their homeland from Maduro.
Because of the respect Trump commanded and America First policy, and his anti-immigrant stance, several Guyanese Americans courted Trump, strategically promoting a policy of close ties between Guyana and USA. It was thought such a move would protect Guyana and Guyanese (legal and undocumented) immigrants (diaspora) in USA. Critics and naysayers, left-wing detractors assailed the strategy of courting Trump and proposing Guyana’s closeness with USA. The government wisely has courted Trump, hiring a lobbying firm with former closely tied Trump’s staff. Guyanese in USA, including this writer, have also been lobbying the President and his administration as well as members of the Republican Congress directly for policies beneficial to Guyana. The strategy seemed to have been working. Trump has temporarily removed the Maduro threat that has been claiming two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. So far, the number of Guyanese deported has been minimal, and they were largely those involved in crimes as opposed to just being illegal in USA.
Half of the Guyanese diaspora in USA have praised Trump for his pro-business platform and tough-on-crime approach and against illegal criminal immigrants. But they don’t support his crackdown on all illegal immigrants, pointing out that most are hard-working and honest and contribute significantly to the economy. Guyanese contribute enormously to the US economy in all fields of endeavor. And they feel bad that some good undocumented people were deported; they hope others will be left alone and become regularized. Guyanese Americans who voted Trump are confident things will improve in USA. But will they vote Republican next time with Trump not on the ballot? Guyana should not get on the wrong side of Trump by allying with American competitors who challenge the “Dunroe” Doctrine.