What about the recently approved referendum in Venezuela to annex a huge chunk of Guyana? Obviously that "vote" was rigged and probably just a political tool for the dictator to gain support, but should still be taken seriously.
If I was a US Gov economic strategist, I'd be offering protection to Guyana in exchange for trading deals. But what do I know... What do you think?
I think (hope) that it's just empty posturing meant to distract Venezuelans from domestic issues. I think (hope) that the US government is signaling to Venezuela that any effort to compromise Guyana's sovereignty will be meant with force. Given that the US has by far the largest Guyanese diaspora in the world, there would be a constituency fighting for Guyanese rights here. Ultimately, Venezuela already has more oil than they know what to do with so I don't think it would be in their interest to take such a big risk with only moderate upside. Of course if the Venezuela government isn't a rational actor all bets are off.
What about the recently approved referendum in Venezuela to annex a huge chunk of Guyana? Obviously that "vote" was rigged and probably just a political tool for the dictator to gain support, but should still be taken seriously.
If I was a US Gov economic strategist, I'd be offering protection to Guyana in exchange for trading deals. But what do I know... What do you think?
I think (hope) that it's just empty posturing meant to distract Venezuelans from domestic issues. I think (hope) that the US government is signaling to Venezuela that any effort to compromise Guyana's sovereignty will be meant with force. Given that the US has by far the largest Guyanese diaspora in the world, there would be a constituency fighting for Guyanese rights here. Ultimately, Venezuela already has more oil than they know what to do with so I don't think it would be in their interest to take such a big risk with only moderate upside. Of course if the Venezuela government isn't a rational actor all bets are off.
Makes sense!