‘Whitewater’ a frontline community in defence of territorial integrity – President

As Guyana prepares to go before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to defend its territorial integrity against claims being made by Venezuela, security concerns are increasing and as such, Commander-in-Chief President David Granger has declared that villages along the border with the neighbouring country are frontline communities in the fight to ensure the country’s territorial integrity.

The Head of State was at the time speaking to residents of Whitewater, Region One (Barima-Waini) following a briefing at the new patrol base, which was set up by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the community on February 14, 2018, after the Regional Intelligence Committee reported in a letter to the Head of State some security concerns as a result of the current situation in Venezuela.
These reports were acted upon and a base was set up in less than 72 hours. Guyana’s border with Venezuela is nearly 800 kilometres long and villages such as Whitewater, Baramita, Kaikan and Arau are all border communities, which the President described as Guyana’s guardians.
“You’re like our guardian, you’re like our shield, you are in the frontline and let me tell you this, since Guyana became independent in 1966; 52 years ago, our western neighbour, Venezuela, has been claiming this very land that you’re living on,” he said.
The Commander-in-Chief told residents that the borders between Venezuela and Guyana have already been decided on and the country is readying itself to defend its territory at the ICJ.
“I am very sure Whitewater, that after this matter goes to court, you’ll be able to live in peace and that you will not have any more provocation,” he said to loud applause.
However, President Granger told residents that while there is an end to provocation in sight, all branches of Government, along with the security forces and residents must work together to defend and protect the country, noting that Government will do everything in its power to ensure their safety.
“We want to make sure that you are safe and I’m here because I’m concerned about your safety. I’m here because I don’t want anybody to attack you; I don’t want anybody to hurt you; I don’t want crimes to be committed against you,” he said.  The military presence is intended to neutralise any illegal activity and provide a 24-hour guard system to ensure maximum security.
President Granger, who was accompanied by Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West; member of the National Security Committee, Brigadier Bruce Lovell; and Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram called on the Army, the Police and the regional administration to continue to work closely together with Central Government to ensure that citizens of those frontline communities are safe. Turning to the residents, he urged them to create Community Policing Groups (CPGs).
Meanwhile, Region One Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, explained that not only is the region faced with threats from the Syndicatos, it is also dealing with Guyanese, who are returning home as a result of the crisis in Venezuela through illegal ports of entry. He added that there are also instances where Venezuelan farmers and traders cross over into Guyana’s territory to sell their produce and other commodities.
“The intervention of regular patrols and [security] persons being there in those communities would help to alleviate some of the security concerns that residents themselves would have raised with us… In Whitewater for instance, the Toshao and Council would have reached out to the RDC with these concerns too.  In addition to that, at the landing called Mora Landing, which is a very far distance of about three hours walk back and forth, we were told that Venezuelans were setting up a fuel depot there, which is illegal, so the presence of our Joint Services on patrol in those far flung areas is important,” the Regional Chairman said.
Ashley also called on residents to give their full cooperation to the GDF and other Joint Services ranks and urged them to be vigilant and to report promptly, any possible security threats.
The village of Whitewater has an area of over 74.8 kilometers. Residents of the community depend largely on farming, fishing, hunting and small entrepreneurial ventures for their livelihoods.