Guyanese back Exxon against Venezuelan intimidation

Dear Editor,
A release from an ongoing survey being conducted by me for NACTA in Guyana on contemporary issues has found overwhelming support among Guyanese for ExxonMobil against Venezuelan aggression.
The Venezuelan Navy intercepted and tried to stop an Exxon floating, production , storage, and offloading vessel from operating in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone in February, and threatened the crew. The Guyana Government condemned Venezuela’s unprovoked and unwarranted action against Exxon.
The international community also, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and France, Germany, Canada, UK and Caricom nations, among others, condemned Venezuela’s intimidatory tactics against Exxon, that has been exploring, drilling and producing oil in offshore Guyana waters.
And a meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers in Ottawa in March also condemned Venezuela’s threatening behaviour against the Exxon floating vessel and Guyana. They all urged restraint by Venezuela, appealed to that country to cease and desist from its threatening actions, and respect the judicial undertaking of the World Court, where the border controversy case is being addressed. A ruling is expected by 2026.
In a visit to Guyana late last month, Secretary Rubio issued a stern warning to Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro against any plan to attack Guyana or disrupt Exxon operations in Guyana’s economic zone.
According to the survey that polled 630 Guyanese adults to reflect the demographics of the population, everyone, including left wingers, is very pleased with the support extended to Guyana by USA on the border issue. And Guyanese have expressed gratitude for the publicly announced support being offered by the Trump Administration and the frank comments of Secretary Rubio on Venezuelan threats, intimidatory tactics, and military aggression against Exxon and Guyana on the border controversy.
Guyanese describe Venezuela Government’s interception of the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters as an ‘unwarranted’ provocation, and as defying World Court advisories in a manner that lead to escalation of tensions in the region. They all stand with Exxon on oil production in Guyana waters.
In the poll, Guyanese views of America are very positive. Guyanese say relations with USA are very important to them personally, as most of them have family members in America, and those relations are important to Guyana in general, as they provide an umbrella against any attack from Venezuela.
Every Guyanese supports closer relations with Washington. They would like to see Guyana strengthen ties with America, and even to have a pact and linkage with USA for defence cooperation and protection against Venezuela, and to bolster regional security.
Respondents are also pleased that President Ali is working closely with USA on the border controversy and on global issues. Voters overwhelmingly approve of how President Irfaan Ali has been handling relations with Venezuela and America.
The survey conducted by me was analyzed at 95% Confidence Level, and has a margin of error of 4%.

Sincerely,
Dr Vishnu Bisram