By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Outgoing Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton has outlined several recommendations for the PPP/C Government, criticizing its current approach to foreign affairs as “ineffective” and “reactive.”
In an exclusive interview with HGPTV Nightly News, Norton emphasized that Guyana’s foreign policy must evolve in light of its emerging oil wealth and growing geopolitical importance.
“We need to have, in my opinion, a Foreign Minister who understands the nuances of international relations,”
Norton asserted, calling for a more strategic and assertive foreign policy posture.
Oil Diplomacy as a Tool of Influence
Norton argued that Guyana’s oil resources should play a more prominent role in shaping its foreign relations, particularly within the Caribbean and Latin America.
“One of the things I have been preaching in Parliament—and I continue to say—is that the government needs to put some of these oil resources into its foreign policies,”
he stated.
“Helping small Caribbean countries will keep them within our influence.”
He referenced Venezuela’s Petrocaribe initiative, launched in 2005 by the late President Hugo Chávez, as a model of how energy diplomacy can build regional alliances and loyalty. The programme, he noted, successfully cultivated support among smaller states through oil concessions and low-interest loans, even though it later struggled with corruption and debt.
Norton maintained that Guyana must utilize its newfound resources as a diplomatic instrument, fostering alliances through development aid, energy partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.
“I will always advocate that Guyana, as an oil-producing nation, must use some of those resources to assist other countries—so that goodwill can translate into diplomatic support,”
the PNCR leader stressed.
Strengthening Regional Advocacy
The veteran politician further advised that Guyana should intensify public diplomacy efforts regarding the Guyana–Venezuela border controversy, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries.
“Guyana should publish advertisements in Spanish in Latin American newspapers because many people are not aware of the 1899 arbitral award and our strong case,”
he suggested.
He emphasized the need for continuous education and sensitization campaigns across the region, arguing that effective communication is key to securing solidarity on the border issue.
Call for a Stronger Foreign Service
Norton urged the government to deploy highly skilled envoys who can effectively represent Guyana’s interests abroad and counter misinformation.
“You need a foreign service that is well-trained, well-equipped, and capable of carrying our case at the diplomatic level,”
he declared, noting that robust diplomacy remains Guyana’s “first line of defence” in international affairs.
He warned that a nation’s vulnerability increases when it fails to assert itself diplomatically, stressing that “a weak foreign policy is a national security risk.”
