Pres Ali maintains Guyana’s message delivered through unity, not hostility

– as National Patriotic Concert held in Anna Regina

In a spectacular show of national unity and pride, thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life on Saturday evening converged at the Anna Regina Car Park in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) for the National Patriotic Concert. This year’s celebration carried an especially poignant message: a resounding affirmation that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.
Speaking at the event, President Ali emphasised that Guyana’s message would be delivered through unity, not hostility.

“Tonight, we will demonstrate in culture, we will demonstrate in dance and music, we will demonstrate in what binds us together as a nation. We will showcase — not with weapons — but we will showcase with our love, our culture, and our peaceful nature tonight, who we are, what we stand for. And we will showcase this in no better place than Essequibo, that belongs to Guyana,” he declared.
Hosting the event in Region Two for the second time in the country’s history, the Government emphasised not only the vibrancy of the region but also its symbolic significance in the ongoing territorial controversy with Venezuela.
Addressing the large gathering, President Irfaan Ali emphasised that the Independence celebration was not just a moment of national pride, but a powerful statement to the international community — that Guyana remains firm, united, and resolute in defending its territorial integrity.
The Patriotic concert at the Anna Regina car park had been announced earlier this month, along with the Government’s announcement of the launch of ‘Flag Days’, a national patriotic initiative set to run from May 24 to May 26, 2025 in the lead-up to the country’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

The initiative is designed to unite Guyanese from every corner of the nation under the emblem of the Golden Arrowhead.
The national organisers described the event as an evening of music, culture and national pride — designed to serve both as a joyful celebration and a rallying call for unity. On May 25, citizens across the country will also be encouraged to prominently display the national flag on verandas, rooftops, vehicles, bicycles, and other visible spaces.
The Government had therefore called on every Guyanese to actively participate, using the occasion to honour national symbols, celebrate the country’s rich heritage, and demonstrate collective pride in the nation’s achievements and future.
The event showcased a vibrant cultural display featuring dances, songs, poetry, calypso, and other performances that highlighted the rich heritage and unity of the nation in celebration of Independence.
The event was also attended by Cabinet Ministers, regional officials, and other dignitaries.
President Dr Irfaan Ali also reaffirmed Guyana’s territorial integrity and reiterated that any exploration activities being carried out in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), are being carried out within Guyana’s territory.
Nor will there be any negotiation, as the President made it clear that Venezuela’s manufactured border controversy will be settled where it should be – the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The President also made it clear that Guyana expects Venezuela to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks by criminals across the border.
The President’s remarks come a week after three separate attacks from Venezuela’s side of the border, were carried out on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) between May 13 and 15, 2025.
According to the President, Venezuela would be better off focusing on bringing these perpetrators to justice, instead of carrying out a sham election for Guyana’s Essequibo territory.
“Guyana formally protested this attack, and reminded Venezuela that under international law, Venezuela bears the responsibility for ensuring its territory is not used to attack or harm Guyana.
“We insisted that Venezuela take immediate action to apprehend those criminals and bring them to justice. Before you spend time on a sham election, spend the resources and time to bring those criminals to justice that are operating on your side of the border,” President Ali said.
The Patriotic Concert comes two days before Independence Day and one day ahead of Venezuela’s planned fictitious election for a Governor of Guyana’s Essequibo territory.
In January 2025, the Nicolás Maduro regime had announced plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, on May 25, 2025 – something which Guyana wrote the ICJ in March to have blocked.