Last week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the chairman of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, joined top members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in releasing the following statement encouraging Guyanese authorities to begin a democratic transition of power that reflects the results of the March 2nd general and regional elections.
Rubio, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, the ranking Democrat on the committee, and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Mary., teamed up on the statement calling on Guyana President David Granger to accept the results of the election and step down.
“Nearly four months since their national election, the Guyanese people are still waiting for an official result following the general and regional elections in their nation. This is unacceptable,” the senators said.
“We share in the frustration expressed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organization of American States (OAS), and other international stakeholders, and call on the Guyanese authorities to issue an official election declaration that reflects the results of the March 2nd election which were confirmed in the official recount by CARICOM’s observer mission,” they added.
“Recent reports suggest questionable maneuvers by interested parties designed to continue forestalling a final declaration of results, which members of the press say indicates a defeat for the incumbent government. President Granger should honor the will of the Guyanese people and concede,” the senators continued. “We extend our support and solidarity to the people of Guyana, who have borne more than their fair share of patience during this process. For their sake, the future of democracy and the rule of law in our hemisphere, the ongoing uncertainty and gamesmanship must end.”
