Minister Croal reassures border communities as joint services monitor Venezuela developments

During a Saturday community engagement in Mabaruma, Region One, Minister of Housing Collin Croal reassured residents that the Government of Guyana remains fully committed to protecting its people and national sovereignty amid recent developments involving Venezuela and the United States’ military action.
The Minister met with Toshao Andrew Cox and residents of White Creek Mouth, a satellite village of Whitewater, as well as residents of Wauna Head in Mabaruma, Region One – both communities located near the Guyana–Venezuela border.
It was highlighted that these communities, due to their remote location, are not easily accessible, making today’s engagement an important opportunity for residents to interact directly with Government representatives.
The Minister was joined by Vice Chairperson of Region One, Paul Pierre; Deputy Mayor of Mabaruma, Leanne Persaud; Regional Education Officer, Annansha Peters; along with other officials.

During the meeting, Minister Croal addressed residents on the recent developments involving Venezuela and the United States’ military actions, reassuring them that the Government of Guyana remains fully committed to safeguarding its people and national sovereignty, particularly in border regions.
The Minister explained that several mechanisms have been activated to closely monitor the situation, with the Joint Services playing a critical role in ensuring security across borders and within communities. He further highlighted that a high-level Government team, led by Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, is currently in Region One and has already met with members of the Joint Services on the situation on the ground.
“Your Government is playing its part to ensure that we monitor the necessary borders and communities,” Minister Croal assured residents.
Turning to the education sector, the Minister stated that with schools scheduled to reopen on Monday, parents are urged to ensure that their children attend school. The Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the continuous improvement of the education system for the benefit of Guyana’s children.

Residents were given the opportunity to raise various community-related concerns. Some matters were addressed immediately by the Ministerial team, while others were documented for follow-up by the relevant agencies.
While engaging residents of Wauna Head, Minister Croal also announced that a regional health team is expected to visit the community on Wednesday to provide healthcare services, including the vaccination of children.
Minister Croal was expected to continue his outreach by engaging residents of Long Creek and Barimanobo.

Venezuelan aggression
In September President Dr Irfaan Ali told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that Guyana will not buckle to any coercion or intimidation in the face of persistent aggression from its Spanish-speaking neighbour, Venezuela.
“For us, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference are not negotiable. We will not cower to coercion, intimidation, or unilateral action,” President Ali declared while delivering his address at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.
Guyana has filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award that demarcates the boundaries with Venezuela. But despite the matter pending before the World Court, Venezuela continues with its aggressive tactic towards Guyana as Caracas pushes its spurious claims of more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass.
President Ali said during his address that “Guyana, a small and peaceful state, has endured repeated threats and aggression from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
This, according to the Guyanese leader, is even after the ICJ has affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case twice already and had also issued provisional measures back in 2023, ordering Venezuela to refrain from altering the status quo.