Dear Editor,
Reuters news agency citing people familiar with the matter reported that U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has been holding secret talks with the grandson of Cuba’s former President Raul Castro.
It is good news that Raul Castro’s grandson is having “discussions” with Marco Rubio of the USA. What will come out of the meeting remains to be seen.
After the Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife were captured by US armed forces and flown to Miami, the new Venezuelan President cut off oil supplies to Cuba at the request of the US. The Cubans cannot rely on the Russians and Iranians for oil supplies as they have their own massive problems.
The advocacy of former PPPC speaker Ralph Ramkarran and former PPPC President Donald Ramotar that Guyana help Cuba by providing oil is not wise.
Countries have permanent interests NOT permanent friends.
The Cubans had no qualms in befriending Forbes Burnham’s PNC when Castro visited Guyana in 1973. The Cubans were looking out for their permanent interests. They gave Forbes Burnham Cuba’s highest medal of recognition…the Jose Marti award.
Despite the 1960s PPP government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan supporting Cuba by trading them rice and railway sleepers for Cuban cement, the Cubans were nevertheless very interested in cementing their new found “friendship” with Forbes Burnham in the 1970s.
Dr. Jagan invited strong retaliation from the US by trading with Cuba after the latter had instituted an embargo on Cuba. For this relationship, Dr. Jagan’s PPP was overthrown by the CIA by their fomenting of race riots in which Indo-Guyanese businesses were burned down and looted and many were killed..
This blockade of the US against the Cubans is still in force.
The PPPC government which currently has excellent relations with the US would be inviting the wrath of the US by exporting Guyana’s oil to Cuba.
The Venezuelan invalid claims to Essequibo are a very prominent and sensitive affair. Guyana should not risk the rage of the US in this paramount issue.
Guyana right now needs to continue to be on the good side of the US. Only the US can prevent the Venezuelans from invading and seizing Essequibo.
At a time when there is Venezuelan compliance with US dictates and an easing of tensions, the US may very well swing their support to Venezuela when it is taken into account that Venezuela has the world’s largest known reserves of oil.
In the talks by the US Rubio and the Cubans, the latter may be forced to make drastic changes including free and fair elections in the communist nation.
Right now, there are large-scale blackouts in Cuba for the lack of oil to power their generators. The situation does not look very promising for Cuba and its socialist revolution.