Gordon Robinson | Border bluster

Government’s fawning at the feet of Jamaica’s latest political masters caused it to rush to Israel’s “defence” after the October 7 Hamas’ terrorist attack.

Two months later, as Israel’s genocidal over-reaction continued unabated, Government appeared desperate for distraction. After all, nothing in the current administration’s DNA or past performance suggests it’s willing or able to do anything but march lock step with USA.

So, right on cue and in keeping with the Christmas spirit, along comes some loud, meaningless sabre rattling from Venezuela, the country USA loves to hate. For more than a century, Venezuela has advanced seemingly frivolous claims to ownership of Guyana’s Essequibo region. Venezuela has been repeatedly thwarted in its claims by international for a. In 1897 the issue appeared settled in favour of UK (who then “owned” British Guiana) by way of an agreed arbitration treaty signed by UK/Venezuela.

All was quiet on British Guiana’s western front until 1962, as independence loomed, when Venezuela resurrected its claim at the United Nations. The squabble continued for another 20 years then lulled again.

But, recently, up went the shout “Thar’s GOLD (well, “Black Gold”) in them thar hills!” Suddenly Venezuela “remembered” it had sovereign rights to Essequibo’s oil (oops, sorry, “lands”). So Guyana put the latest row before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). That court recently issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing Venezuela from taking any steps to alter the status quo until a final determination.

But Jamaica’s distraction-starved government couldn’t wait. Before ICJ’s TRO ruling, Government seized the opportunity to deflect attention from the Palestinian slaughter by publishing a statement declaring support for “Guyana’s territorial integrity” and expressing unease at Venezuela’s intention to hold a referendum on whether to pursue its claim.

But Guyana’s ‘territorial integrity” is the subject matter of the ICJ litigation so this intemperate statement could give the impression Jamaica is trying to influence the Court. Further, I thought we were against interference with internal politics of any nation. How is it Jamaica’s business if Venezuela wants to hold an indicative referendum on any subject?

ICJ has no jurisdiction to interfere with Venezuelan elections. It didn’t try. The judgment ordering the status quo to remain can’t be breached by a Venezuelan vote. If something happens AFTER the vote well.....

Government seems to want Jamaicans to forget about Palestinian children actually being murdered by the hundreds. Because, you see, criticizing Venezuela for holding a referendum on a claim it has made for over a century is more urgent and important.

It gets worse. JLP sycophants, anxious to prove misery loves company, began heckling PNP for not issuing a statement on this matter of apparently crucial national interest. Never mind that Government decided to make an individual statement on the issue weeks after CARICOM issued a regional statement in which it stated “CARICOM insists that the referendum proposed by Venezuela has no validity, bearing, or standing in international law… but its summary effect is likely to undermine peace, tranquility, security, and more, in our region.”

Now why would Jamaica feel the need to add its own reprimand? This is the same government that couldn’t cast a vote on a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza despite alleging it drafted a CARICOM statement making that identical call. Suddenly Jamaica must affix an exclamation mark to a statement already released by CARICOM?

So, after days of JLP trolls’ taunting, PNP issued its own statement on the day of the referendum. PNP stated:

“PNP stands in solidarity with Guyana and the position of CARICOM that reaffirms the prohibition under international law against one State unilaterally seizing, annexing or incorporating the territory of another State.”

Wha, wha, WHAT? Who has done any “seizing, annexing or incorporating” of territory? Not Venezuela! Claims made for 100 years are before ICJ. Why this premature inflammatory ejaculation about seizing and annexing?

At the apparently terrifying referendum, Venezuelan voters were asked whether they agreed with creating a new State called Guayana Esequiba in the Essequibo region; whether Venezuela should grant Essequibo’s population Venezuelan citizenship with identity cards; and whether the “new’ State should be incorporated into the map of Venezuelan territory.

Now you tell me how this referendum changes the status quo? How does Venezuelans giving their opinion on longstanding issues in dispute offend international law? What Maduro plans to do with the results is another matter. But, until there’s an actual act of aggression why are we so het up?

PNP went on:

“PNP is accordingly urging our longstanding and respected friend, Venezuela, not to engage in any form of aggression towards our sister Caribbean nation, Guyana.”

See how a likkle political pressure can tu’n wi foo-fool? Not ONE act of aggression has been threatened or taken. Meanwhile credible sources have reported USA troops entering Guyana and its Finance Minister was on Jamaican radio adroitly side-stepping questions as to whether Guyana had asked USA for help.

On November 28, US Embassy in Guyana issued a statement including:

“Leadership from US Army 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) met November 27-28 as part of USA/Guyana’s strong military to military partnership.

U.S. and Guyana defence forces discussed upcoming engagements to include strategic planning sessions and processes to enhance both countries’ military readiness and capabilities to respond to security threats.

SFAB is a specialized unit of the U.S. Army established to advise and assist partner nations. Since 2022, SFAB has conducted several joint training exercises with GDF to strengthen their capacity and capability at the tactical and operational levels.”

Allrighty then! Buzzwords like “advise and assist”; “joint training exercises” harken back to the Vietnam war. Want to see acts of aggression? Look there!

On December 4, in an obvious propaganda reaction, Voice of America published the following ambiguity:

“In recent months, Venezuela has further increased tensions by deploying military resources to its border with Guyana, and announcing it has plans to install an airstrip in the area to provide logistical support for the development of Essequibo.”

What “military resources”? Is a plan to build an airstrip to help develop a region you (rightly or wrongly) claim “military resources”? Since 2016, Jamaica has been announcing plans to rebuild Cornwall Regional Hospital as logistical support for western Jamaica. Is Venezuela allowed to plan? Can Venezuela be optimistic about ICJ victory?

The referendum attracted a low turnout with huge support for Venezuelan claims. Afterwards, Polish based defence-blog.com published a statistical comparison between Venezuela’s and Guyana’s military that overwhelmingly favoured Venezuela. But there have been no discernible Venezuelan troop movements or commencement of any construction near the disputed border.

Status quo remains. Venezuela blusters including an illusory “order” to issue oil exploration licenses. DWL. Guyana prepares for the worst.

PNP’s Statement: “We further call on our friend Venezuela to participate in and abide by current international legal proceedings to resolve the dispute.”

This is exactly what Venezuela is doing. It’s a party to ongoing ICJ litigation. Finally, PNP closes with an absurd proposal:

“PNP is also urging CARICOM to intercede to ensure a formidable diplomatic solution that will result in a resolution in the best interest of all parties and the region.”

You see what talking for talking’s sake can cause?

CARICOM already “interceded” on behalf of a member State with its own intemperate statement. But, crucially, what exactly should CARICOM do to resolve a matter currently proceeding apace before ICJ? On what authority would CARICOM “ensure a formidable diplomatic solution (whatever that is)” when one of its members is a litigant? C’mon man!

Must we dip our mouths into every cass-cass especially a century old one in which no civilian has yet died? Civilians are dying by the tens of thousands in Gaza. Why not ask CARICOM to “intercede” there?

Jamaica should stay out of Venezuela and Guyana’s who wants to be a millionaire contest. Venezuela is a friend; Guyana a CARICOM member. This issue is being pursued for Guyana by CARICOM. Jamaica shouldn’t be making clumsy statements regarding a matter before ICJ and PNP just looks weak for giving way to political pressure to follow fashion.

Venezuela continues to spit in the wind while Guyana has enough help from serial Venezuela-haters. Jamaica doesn’t need to get involved. Haiti, with real problems, needs Jamaica more. Jamaica can let CARICOM carry the Venezuela/Guyana ball. Let Venezuela/Guyana shout to friends “hol’ mi back!” while they pretend to fight. Remember the fight used to be over land. Now it’s over oil. Only one nation ever wins that fight. It’s not Guyana. It’s not Venezuela. Exxon already produces all the oil in Guyana. Chevron has bought Hess (Exxon’s Guyana oil partner).

There’s a reason oil is also known as “Texas Tea”.

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com