In his letter published in Stabroek News on 13 January 2024, Mr. Nascimento re-stated my position. In his words, ‘it is only Venezuela which is the aggressor and, by its Referendum, threatens the use of force’. Why, then, would Guyana have felt pressured ‘with equivalence’ [Nascimento’s words] to let stand Point 1 of the Joint…
Janette Bulkan is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia This column reflects on the Joint Declaration of Argyle against the geopolitical backdrop in which Guyana and Venezuela are enmeshed. One can contrast the Guyana government’s declarations of sovereignty against the tangible exercise of power and influence before and after May 2015, when…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Part 116 – December 15, 2023 Introduction Today’s column returns to the very popular topic of ringfencing in petroleum operations. Column 115 appearing in the Stabroek News of November 24 addressed how Belize, a mini-petroleum state, used the industry’s regulator, the legislation and the…
Robin Singh’s letter titled, “I extend congratulations to Jagdeo for embracing a failed Marxist philosophy” (SN Nov 16th), contained several false arguments. Singh writes: “. . . others are spending much time and effort to disparage and discourage new investors in our economy”. Robin is referring to a group of oil activists and two daily…
President Irfaan Ali ring-fencing is an important concern that has engaged the attention of the Guyanese people; but Guyanese policymakers do not want to take any action to establish ring-fencing in each of the oil projects that are currently extracting and exporting oil from Guyana. When there is no ring-fencing, the people of Guyana are…
Recently, the World Bank, using the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita measure, reclassified Guyana as a high-income country. GNI is the sum of all income earned by a country, irrespective of where the income was earned. The justification for this elevation into the highest GNI category is largely based on the impact of foreign…
Reference is made to SN’s blogger, Justin, (SN August 10 blog on Andre Brandli’s letter). He explained Guyana’s share of oil revenues as follows: “Your mango tree has 100 mangoes which sell for $10,000 on the market. I pay 2% royalty. But I have the right to 75% cost recovery+ 50% profit sharing, and you…
Reference is made to Dr. Randolph Persaud’s letter titled: ‘Suggestion that Exxon is Guyana’s new slave master is baseless . . .”. (SN August 6th). My characterization of the Persaud’s letter is to brainwash the Guyanese people into feeling gratitude for Exxon’s investment – and to disregard the Guyanese people’s arguments and plea for renegotiation…
