Venezuelan border controversy: Rely only on official information channels – Pres Ali to Guyanese amid fear-mongering, unease

…”absolutely no need” to move from border villages

President Irfaan Ali has sent a strong message for Guyanese to have faith in the Government’s efforts to bring closure to the border controversy matter with Venezuela, as this national effort is bearing fruitful results for a peaceful resolution.
The Head of State engaged media operatives on Saturday during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where he pointed to a great deal of fear-mongering and unease among the population.
In addressing this, Ali asked that citizens only rely on information from official channels of Government, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He relayed, “Exciting ourselves though sensational posting, some of it concocted to generate excitement, help to create an environment of uneasiness. I want to assure members of the public, every Guyanese that the tireless work that we’re doing over the last couple of weeks is not only bearing fruit but has enabled us to strengthen our relationships with our partners.”
Round the clock, no efforts are being spared to enhance capabilities locally. First and foremost, the Administration is working on a plan to bring awareness to the population, educating about the controversy and the planned referendum.
Ali spoke on the intention to close the communication gaps in outlying areas as he explained, “That is where the communication and public awareness strategies come in. This is part of the strategy that we need to strengthen and pay a lot of attention to…Information must be timely, relevant, accessible and continuous.”
The Guyana Defence Force has been utilising intelligence to monitor the borders and establish domain awareness. In annexing the Essequibo, Venezuela seeks to formally capture the Essequibo as part of its territory and incorporate it as a new state. Ali has determined that no Guyanese citizen from the border should leave their home in fear.
“There is absolutely no reason to move from the anywhere. That is the type of fear-mongering that people are pushing on social media but there is absolutely no reason. The Guyana Defence Force is working very steadily and I am confident in their ability.”
He further assured, “I would say to residents that we are ensuring that we take all necessary steps and actions to ensure our territorial integrity and sovereignty is protect at all times, even after December 3. We are not taking anything lightly but we are confident that we will be able to have a situation where our territory is secured.”

Confident
In response to Venezuela’s December 3 referendum aimed at annexing Guyana’s Essequibo territory, the Guyana Government on Tuesday presented its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by urging the Court to not only protect Guyana’s rights but also its own authority, which Venezuela is trying to undermine.
Guyana sought an order from the Court to prevent Venezuela from taking any action to violate its sovereignty in the Essequibo region during the remainder of the case, until the court has ruled on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Such orders are binding to both parties under the UN Charter for which all states are bound to comply and can be enforced by the UN Security Council.
“I am gratified to say that this is truly a national effort. Guyana sought the Court’s protection in response to Venezuela’s scheduling of the referendum that threatens grave, irreparable and incalculable harm to our country…We do not expect that Venezuela will put itself in outright defiance of the Court or a flagrant breach of its international obligations.”

In recognising the detriments of such actions on the part of the Spanish-speaking neighbour, the President also placed his confidence in the legal channel that the order will be granted. He reminded that this action is a violation of the most fundamental principles of international law, enshrined in the United Nations and OAS Charters.
“After the hearings of the November 14 and 15, Guyana is confident that the court has understood its petition and that within a short time, it will issue an order directing Venezuela not to take any of the actions for which it seeks the endorsement of its people.”
Based on a 10-year-old census, the Essequibo area accounts for almost two-thirds of Guyana with around 125,000 of its 800,000 inhabitants living there.
The Guyana Government has declared its commitment to resolving this longstanding border controversy with Venezuela through the legal process at the World Court. This position was also reaffirmed by Guyana’s National Assembly in a unanimous vote last week.
Over the past few weeks, Guyana has been informing regional and international partners of Venezuela’s planned referendum, which has been criticised by the United States, Caricom, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as several other nations in the Region, including Brazil. There is a consensus that Venezuela’s referendum threatens the peace, security, and stability of the Region. (Rupa Seenaraine)