There have been huge disastrous floods in Guyana this week and the nation is now openly appealing for help from the American military. This may seem like an old story, but it's not. I hope we help Guyana.

There are some good reasons, and it's in everyone's interest. The tsunami relief effort got word to the world that when you are in deep trouble, America is the one, the only one, you can reliably turn to. Swift efficient help to impossible areas, soldiers who are friendly and compassionate, soldiers who won't shake you down, soldiers who will treat you with dignity and help you to get on your feet. That's the message of tsunami relief to the world these past three weeks.

More important, Guyana is in a region with huge heavy horrible rainfalls. The news stories say they got 40 inches, steady. Based on its geography and history, it could be a lot worse than it looks and it probably is.

In 1999, there were huge heavy rainfalls next door in Vargas state in Venezuela that triggered gargantuan mudslides killing at least 30,000 people, and by some credible reports, 200,000. The northern coast of South America has some fearsome tragedies with rain. mud, hurricanes and other natural catastrophes.

The U.S., eyeing it through its satellites, did recognize how serious this situation was in Vargas. As a result, the U.S. military loaded up its aircraft carriers and got ready to rescue Venezuela. President Clinton, to his credit, made the offer to deliver aid to Venezuela.

And the answer the U.S. got from Marxist dictator Hugo Chavez? Absolutely not. No way was the U.S. going to be allowed to give any help and he didn't want any. So, the Venezuelans didn't get any help from anyone, and people died. That huge casualty count is testament to it. To this day, Venezuelans still talk about the disaster and how there was no help forthcoming and the Americans were turned away at the port. It is a very live issue for Hugo Chavez, this abandonment of Vargas state to death in its hour of need.

Hugo Chavez is going to be haunted by 30,000 ghosts (and all those living with their memory) when an American aircraft carrier steams into Guyanese waters next door to rescue the Guyana's disaster—struck. They will remind him about how he could care less about the welfare of his people when the U.S. rescuers were turned away at the gate. It could be a very potent political issue for him, given the battering the Venezuelan political scene has had since 1999. A Guyana rescue would remind the living that Hugo Chavez could care less about their welfare. Not only would a rescue of neighboring Guyana (a country full of lovely people by the way) be the right thing to do, it would drive a huge powerful reminder message to Venezuela.

I hope we help Guyana.

A.M. Mora y Leon 01 22 05