By Kurt Campbell
Kurt@newsroom.gy
In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname will address various regional issues, with a particular focus on the growing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the border controversy.
As Guyana becomes a key player in global energy markets, particularly with its rising oil production, the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela remains a central concern in the region.
Rubio’s visit, scheduled for Thursday, will underscore the United States’ commitment to supporting Guyana’s sovereignty and security, particularly in the face of increasing Venezuelan aggression. Guyana’s oil fields, considered some of the largest and most lucrative offshore discoveries in recent years, have become a flashpoint between the two nations. Venezuela has repeatedly challenged Guyana’s territorial claims over the Essequibo region, a resource-rich area, heightening geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean.
Mauricio Claver-Carone
During his visit, Rubio is expected to meet with Guyanese officials to discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation, aiming to safeguard Guyana’s economic interests and energy security. The United States has already been working with Guyana to enhance its security, particularly around ExxonMobil’s oil facilities, which have been targeted by Venezuelan forces in recent months.
Rubio’s discussions will likely include binding agreements to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure and address the regional threats posed by Venezuela’s increasingly hostile actions.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America, highlighted the significance of the visit, particularly as Guyana is poised to surpass countries like Qatar and Kuwait in per capita oil production this year. This transformation has made Guyana a crucial partner for the U.S. in the Caribbean, a region long dependent on Venezuela for energy resources under the PetroCaribe agreement.
Claver-Carone noted that the end of the PetroCaribe era, largely dismantled due to U.S. sanctions and shifting political dynamics, represents a turning point for the region’s energy future.
“The opportunity for energy security in the Caribbean has never been more critical,” Claver-Carone said, emphasising the potential of Guyana and Suriname to shift away from Venezuela’s influence and create a more stable and independent energy market. The U.S. sees this as a historic opportunity to support Caribbean nations in securing their energy needs while reducing dependency on Venezuela, whose economic and political crises have long destabilised the region.
President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro presents a gift to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley during an official visit at the Miraflores Palace on July 8, 2023 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Getty Images)
The visit will also address broader issues such as transnational crime, narcotics trafficking, and illegal immigration, with stops in Jamaica and Suriname. In Jamaica, Rubio will meet with leaders to discuss joint efforts on combating arms trafficking and drug cartels, which have long been a source of instability in the Caribbean. He will also engage in discussions with regional leaders on the economic and security challenges posed by the Haitian crisis, which has further complicated the geopolitical landscape.
While much of the attention surrounding Rubio’s trip will focus on Guyana’s security, the U.S. is also keen to strengthen its partnerships with neighbouring Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, which remains a key player in the region’s energy sector.
As the geopolitical dynamics of the Caribbean shift, with nations like Guyana and Suriname emerging as new energy powerhouses, the U.S. is positioning itself as a key ally in the region’s efforts to build a more secure and prosperous future. However, the ongoing dispute between Guyana and Venezuela is likely to remain a major point of contention, with both sides eyeing the region’s valuable energy resources.
Marco Rubio met with Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (Photo: Office of the President)
The visit by Secretary Rubio is set against the backdrop of a changing Caribbean, where former dependencies on Venezuelan oil are being replaced with new, promising energy partnerships. The U.S. will continue to work closely with its Caribbean partners to ensure that the region’s security and energy independence are maintained, all while navigating the complex and often fraught relationship with Venezuela.
The post Border controversy, energy & security take centre stage as U.S. Secretary of State visits Guyana appeared first on News Room Guyana.
