Congressman urges US to address China’s growing influence in Guyana

Expressing similar fears to the situation with China and The Bahamas, an American congressman has asked the Trump administration to pay closer attention to Guyana because the Chinese are cementing their influence level in the CARICOM member nation at record pace.

Rep. Gabe Evans, who sits on the Energy and Homeland Security committees, thinks the administration is dropping the geopolitical ball when it comes to China and oil and gas-rich Guyana.

In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Evans said that China’s increasing economic and strategic foothold in the country can present near-term security and other challenges in a country that is smack in America’s backyard and sphere of influence.

“I write to call attention to creeping Chinese influence and threats to American interests in the nation of Guyana,” Evans wrote. He argues that the Communist Party is playing a key but decisive role in Chinese commercial and other interest in the country, as he called for the US to switch on to China’s presence and role in Guyana.

“These activities have the potential to threaten regional stability and undermine US interests in countering Beijing’s predatory practices in our backyard,” Evans added. “As the administration continues to prioritize American interests in the Western hemisphere, I ask that you and the State Department vigilantly monitor Guyana and how the CCP may be working to subvert priorities in areas such as diplomacy, energy, and critical minerals.”

His appeal to Washington comes just days after the American mission in The Bahamas had once again publicly urged local officials to abandon a nearly $300 million new hospital construction project until US financing can be garnered and until Amercican companies can properly bid for and build the facility in the capital.

China is funding the larger part of the loan for the hospital and will also supply a significant portion of labor needs.

“We are disappointed to see this project move forward so quickly when fundamental concerns about the terms of the deal remain unaddressed,” Ambassador Herschel Walker said in a recent statement. “I question the decision to rush forward with a deal that places the hospital financing under Chinese law and jurisdiction on Bahamian soil,” he noted, again suggesting, as he did recently, that “the US’ offer to help The Bahamas secure better financing options — whether from public or private sources — remains on the table.”

Meanwhile, adding Guyana to the list of nations Washington must watch, Rep. Evans noted that there is reason to worry as China is using finance to worm its way into the good graces of the Guyanese.

Congressman Evans said he is increasingly alarmed by credible reports of growing interference, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Guyana

He said Preaident Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo are both public advocates of closer commercial and other ties with China, noting that the governing party is also an advocate of pro China ties.

He argued that the Chinese are using finance and mega projects to secure political influence and favors.

Indeed, several Chinese firms are already engaged in multimillion dollar projects in Guyana ranging from highway construction to the recent completion of a modern bridge across the city harbor to connect the capital with western districts. For these, they have won much national praise.

“The United States cannot afford to lose Guyana to CCP influence and cronyism,” he said. “Guyana is a nation with rich natural resources and a population that is ready, willing, and able to partner with the United States.”

“I urge you and your office to continue these efforts while not overlooking the significant influence China has established in Guyana which could be counterproductive to the State Department’s position on the US hegemony in international markets,” he added.

Local officials have argued that American firms are not that enthusiastic about investing in this part of the world, though several are major players in the oil and gas industry. Supermajor ExxonMobil is the main operator in Guyana’s offshore sector that now produces more than 900,000 barrels of oil daily.