Dear Editor,
I commend President Irfaan Ali for putting forward Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as Guyana’s candidate for UN Secretary-General. Her experience as Foreign Minister, Permanent Representative and a leader during Guyana’s Security Council term makes this a serious candidacy. CARICOM’s endorsement confirms that it is a glorious opportunity for the wider Caribbean as well as Guyana.
We must also support President Ali’s clear defence of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Delcy Rodríguez’s contemptuous display of a map claiming Essequibo, followed by her renewed call at the UN for bilateral negotiations, must not distract from the case now before the International Court of Justice. I urge Caribbean governments, the United States and the wider international community to firmly, and unequivocally, reject attempts to give any credence to that claim and to support a peaceful resolution through the Court.
I will continue urging President Donald Trump and his Cabinet, including the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, members of the U.S. Congress, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the UN and all other countries, to give Guyana’s security and the rule of law their sustained attention. President Ali’s own engagement with U.S. lawmakers is a welcome part of that effort.
As a Community Leader, District Leader emeritus, Judicial Delegate, and Guyanese-American, I will be lobbying and meeting with Congress members most expeditiously on this national, and international issue. This is not a partisan political issue, but a supervening, national emergency. The support of everyone, both in Guyana and in the diaspora, regardless of party affiliation, creed or race, is paramount. My support on these national interests does not silence my criticism of shortcomings in public services, inclusion or accountability, where justified, and necessary. A citizen can give credit where it is earned and demand better where it is needed. Guyana is strongest when we bring that same resolve to both.
Guyana’s nationalism, a political and cultural ideology that places supreme loyalty, devotion, and allegiance to one’s nation-state above other individual or group interests, must take precedence at this juncture in our collective Guyanese history! Stand up for Guyana!