GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Former opposition leader, Aubrey Norton, Friday said he is not fully convinced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is an alleged narco-terrorist as alleged by the United States.
PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, speaking at news conference on Friday (CMC Photo)“I have seen no evidence to help me to arrive at a conclusion and unless we are privy to information that confirms claims, up until then we will take the position of looking after our interest,” Norton, the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) told a news conference.
Norton, who also heads the parliamentary coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which until the last general election was the main opposition party, told reporters that Guyana’s interest is pushing back against Venezuela’s long-standing claim to the oil rich 160,000 square mile Essequibo Region.
“I believe that we need to be very careful with who and what we support and when and what we support and any support will only emerge after we have the factual basis to declare one way or the other,” he said.
Norton said he could not support anything without evidence to determine whether it is true or not and that the PNCR/APNU was guarding against being “embroiled in something” about which it did not have information to substantiate or disagree.
“I’ve listened to academics in the US. Some support it, some against. What I’m still to get from any side is concrete information to inform the decision we should take and so in this present state our task is to pursue our national interest and our national interest is best served at this time by doing the diplomatic work to keep Venezuela at bay and mobilise the support of all who we can get, including the United States, to support us against Venezuela,” he added.
Washington has repeatedly pledged its commitment to support Guyana in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier this week, Guyana signed an agreement with the United States expanding military cooperation between the two countries.
“The two countries also signed a Statement of Intent to expand joint military cooperation with full respect for the sovereignty and laws of both countries,” President Irfaan Ali said, following talks here with senior US officials, including US Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War, Patrick Weaver, and the Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Joseph Humire on Tuesday.
Ali said that the agreement is part of an evolving process between Washington and its allies in South America and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to work on defence and security.
“The US government now is launching what they call the ‘Southern Spear’ of security where they are now coming up with a strategy for the Western Hemisphere and the US government is to invest more and pay attention more to the CARICOM and Western Hemisphere so basically the countries and allies in the region signalling their intention for more collaboration and cooperation,” he said.
The United States has been beefing up its military presence near Venezuela allegedly to deal with the illegal drugs trade, even as some political observers say it is part of the Donald Trump strategy to engage in regime change in Caracas.
The Trump administration has declared Maduro an alleged narco-terrorist and a key figure in Cartel of the Suns, both of which have been sanctioned by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
So far more than 80 persons have been killed by the US military as they were travelling in the Caribbean sea and the Pacific allegedly with cocaine destined for the US.
The US military earlier this week intercepted and seized a large crude tanker with fuel and the Trump administration has since added several more tankers to its sanctions list. The Trump administration had also warned airlines against flying over Venezuela.
But Norton, a former Foreign Service Officer and university lecturer in politics and international relations, declined to offer a perspective on what he made of those actions.
“All countries pursue their national interest. The United States probably sees it as their interest. Venezuela perceives it as not in their interest,” said Norton.
Meanwhile, the APNU is questioning the latest cooperation agreement between the United States and Guyana against what it terms “the backdrop of rising tensions in Latin America and Caribbean region.
“The APNU assumes that this measure is intended to support and protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is understood that a document of this kind may not be placed in the public domain without compelling reasons,
“However, APNU finds it disconcerting that, given the importance of the SOI, the government has not chosen to inform the Public of its importance and how it addresses national security, defense cooperation, and Guyana’s strategic position in an increasingly difficult and complex regional environment,” the coalition grouping said in a statement signed by opposition legislator, Riaz Z. Rupnarain.
It said that the absence of a Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations and the lack of an opportunity for Members of Parliament to discuss the specifics of the agreement with the government at the Parliamentary level are equally concerning.
“Instead of boosting public trust, these omissions raise valid concerns about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, all cardinal elements of a democratic society.”
The opposition said that the situation raises a number of questions including “what commitments were made to the US?” and does the statement of intent (SOI) affect operational co-operation or access to Guyanese territory?
“The APNU reiterates its commitment to constructive involvement on all foreign policy and national security issues. Strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with important states in international community are something we wholeheartedly support.
“Nonetheless, these arrangements must be in keeping with the rule of law, the engagement of, and in consultation with the people of Guyana. APNU urges the government to lay the SOI in the Parliament as a key step in ensuring transparency and accountability,” it added.
