Letter: Guyana Caught Between Chinese Dragon and American Eagle

Letter to the Editor by GHK Lall

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – (Letter) Guyanese were privy to the ominous development that occurred over Taiwan last week. It is trouble because it is intricate and I foresee interesting times ahead, none of which is wholesome, given the pawn that Guyana has become.

I ponder and conclude that this is more than a misstep over Taiwan; one which had to be pleasing to America, and which it had to have had some considerable interest in making happen. But with that mistake coerced and made, mainland China wasted no time to demonstrate its own considerable clout in this country, and over our feeble leaders. It compelled them to backpedal in the blink of an eye.

The Chinese sat Guyanese leaders down and made them face facts and reality. This is how much is on the table; this is how much Guyana is in up to its neck. Now, whatcha gonna do about it? Guyana leaders did a double take, the 21st century version of political kowtow, through a meeting of the minds.

I detect a problem, because Guyana is not India, which can dance around between Russia and America, and decide selectively on certain crucial matters, like jet fighters or endorsements or relationships. Guyana – little, belittled, and whittled down to size recently – is caught between a risen and still rising Chinese dragon, and a highflying, but descending American eagle.

Editor, I put in a wider frame. The Chinese have no intentions of retreat from ensnared Africa, or the South China Sea corralled at most cardinal points. But, at the risk of being considered callous, that is a concern for the good folks in those dependent habitats. I am concerned about this Guyana that I have made my home.

I do not envision the Chinese retreating from stake(s) in Guyana, or its larger geopolitical objectives in the Latin Quarter. Similarly, I cannot visualize those power-brokering capitalists and military strategists from the American home I left giving ground willingly and without a struggle. This is their lake, their backyard; if they cannot dominate here, then there are few places left to challenge and confront the expanding Chinese.

Editor, the problem with all of that is that Guyana (we) are in the middle. We have no say on how events unfold, we lack the kind of meaningful posture, both home and abroad, that brings listening, that encourages pausing by the powers. We are not India. We are Guyana with maritime agreements, national debts, and crippling leadership secrets. The Chinese exposed those. The tumult over Taiwan made that clear.