US Secretary of State cites Guyana’s electoral process as OAS challenge

In congratulating Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro on his re-election yesterday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cited Guyana’s electoral process as one of the challenges now facing the grouping.

In a statement today Pompeo said:

“As we overcome the threat to public health posed by COVID-19, the peoples of the Americas and the Caribbean face other challenges, such as the full restoration of democracy in Nicaragua and Venezuela; adherence to free, fair and credible electoral processes in Guyana; and holding the Cuban regime accountable for its malign activities,” Pompeo said in a statement released yesterday.

“Opportunities abound as well, including the upcoming democratic elections in Bolivia and implementing an array of OAS programs and initiatives to boost resilience; strengthen democratic governance, human rights, and fundamental freedoms; and bolster economic competitiveness and development in the region,” he added.

It was the second time this week that Pompeo raised concerns about Guyana.

On Tuesday, he had warned about severe repercussions for persons here benefiting from electoral fraud and an illegitimately sworn in government. “The United States is closely monitoring the tabulation of votes in Guyana ….we join the OAS Commonwealth, EU, CARICOM and other democratic partners who are calling for an accurate count. We commend CARICOM’s role in seeking a swift democratic resolution and it is important to note that the individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate governments/regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States,” he said, while speaking at the State Department.

The US and other western countries have expressed grave concern about the faulty Region Four count from the March 2 general and regional elections and the possibility that there might be an attempt to swear in a president on this basis.

There are suggestions that if there is no fair election result here that the OAS will take up the matter.