Sanctions will hurt the average Guyanese more than those who are prepared to steal elections

Dear Editor,
No less a person than Micheal Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States, has threatened sanctions if David Granger is sworn-in as our head of state based on fraudulent results.
It is evident from the reaction of our citizens they are ignorant of the implications of sanctions. Were they aware, I am confident, mass protests would have ensued when the USA threatened such actions?

However, the citizens seem unbothered as David Granger and his cabal are working through GECOM to be returned to office, even though they have lost the elections.
Sanctions can devastate our country and punish everyone, including citizens who are currently fighting to stop the swearing-in of Granger. Should Granger be sworn-in, he and those close to him will suffer directly by individual sanctions such as jail sentence, fines, travel restriction, and restriction on their assets.

While Granger and his illegal ministers may survive these sanctions, it is doubtful whether his business associates will be able to cope with the same. It wouldn’t be long before Granger suffers isolation from his associates as the sanctions bite in.

Outside of the individual sanctions, there will be economic sanctions that would manifest in restrictions on imports and exports. These sanctions will affect all and sundry. Since we are heavily dependent on a few export sectors, the economy will suffer significant contraction, and many will lose their jobs and incomes.

Given the fact that we do not have adequate international reserves, any restriction on exports will curtail our ability to generate foreign exchange to service our external debt and pay for imports. Coupled with joblessness, we will therefore risk bankruptcy and shortages of essential goods, e.g., food items, fuel, drugs, medical supplies, etc. With fuel shortages, we will have to brace ourselves for frequent and extended power outages worse than those in the 70s and 80s.

The economic sanctions will also see Guyana being cut-off from the international financial system. Guyanese will not be able to make overseas payments or receive money from abroad. All businesses will therefore suffer, especially those into imports and exports.

Military sanctions can also be part of the menu of penalties that may be imposed by the USA on our country. These sanctions can take the form of military interventions and/or arms embargo to restrict supplies of weapons. The latter will severely diminish our ability to maintain internal security and fight off any external threats.

Since the international community will not recognize the Government, it would be difficult to seek help from the USA, Europe, OAS, Commonwealth, and UN if hostile neighbours, e.g., Venezuela, invade the country. Just imagine fighting a giant like Venezuela without the support of our friendly allies with superior capabilities.

International lending agencies such as the EU, IMF, IDB, World Bank will cease doing business with Guyana. Maintenance of our sea defence can be jeopardized if the EU stops doing business with Guyana. Our efforts to strengthen the security and financial sectors can also be affected if the IDB puts a halt to business with Guyana.

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that sanctions would destroy us more than it would hurt Granger and his cabal, who have failed to improve our lives while they were in office. The question is: “Are we willing to suffer the consequences of sanctions? Or will we add our voices in the call for Granger and his cabal to respect the will of the people?”

Concerned citizen