Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has again rejected what he describes as Venezuela’s propaganda regarding the border controversy and urged residents of Baramita, Region one (Barima-Waini ), not to fall prey to the misleading messages from the Spanish-speaking country. President Ali made those remarks during a visit to the community, where he also promised residents that no effort will be spared to safeguard Guyana’s territorial sovereignty. He said: “No one or nothing will stop the development of Essequibo and Guyana,” the Commander in Chief said, adding that there is no need to be fearful.
President Ali did not mince his words when speaking on the inaccuracies stemming from Venezuela, as they are seemingly going full speed ahead with the December 3, 2023 referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo region, despite the ongoing matter before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
President Ali said: “We want members of this community not to worry, not to fall prey to the propaganda. Venezuela is sending out all kinds of messages and propaganda because part of their strategy is to drive fear among our people, but we are a people who are brave and honorable.”
Getting back on track and focusing on developing Guyana, the President said emphasis should be placed on building communities and not allowing fear tactics to consume the areas.
The President has consistently spoken out against social media being used as a vehicle by many to drive fear into the populace.
He referenced fake press releases being circulated on social media and called on citizens to only rely on the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for information.
Venezuela will hold a referendum on December 3 to seek approval to reject the Arbitral Award of 1899, which fixed the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela, to formally annex the Essequibo Region by incorporating it into Venezuela as a new Venezuelan state, to give Venezuelan citizenship and national identity cards to the Guyanese population, and to develop the territory as part of Venezuela. The Essequibo Region comprises more than two-thirds of the whole of Guyana itself.