Dear Editor,
In the realm of international politics, there is no such thing as ‘permanent’ friends. Friendships change over time. Friend becomes enemies and vice-versa. The experience of Venezuela is a case in point. Today the United States has become a major strategic partner to Venezuela who not so long ago under the Maduro regime was regarded as an arch enemy.
Russia today is waging war against Ukraine which prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union was an integral part of the Soviet system. The national interests of both countries have changed with Russia wanting to keep Ukraine within its sphere of interest while Ukraine, like several erst while Soviet republics, have opted to move closer to the European Union.
This is the nature of international politics which is a dynamic process governed essentially by national interests. In the case of Guyana, the international environment has changed significantly since the days of the Cold War. Guyana, then a colony of Britain was one of the earliest victims of the Cold War.
It is naive not to recognise that Guyana’s strategic interest has fundamentally changed especially in light of challenges to its sovereignty by Venezuela and also as a result of its new status as an emerging petroleum state. Guyana is now positioning itself as a regional leader especially in the areas of food and energy security and also as a champion of low carbon development. In this regard, its foreign policy orientation is more strategic and goal-oriented with the national interest as the overriding consideration.
President Ali and the PPP/C administration has taken a wise and realistic position at the regional and international fora, including at the United Nations General Assembly, especially when it comes to Guyana’s national and geo-strategic interests.