Dear Editor,

THE PPP Government recently upbraided Venezuela for signing an internal agreement with the opposition in that country which purportedly laid claims to the Essequibo.

The agreement was signed in Mexico City on September 6, 2021. Its sole purpose is to ratify Venezuela’s purported rights over the Essequibo, Guyana’s territory.

It also seems to be a largely small agreement between the Venezuelan Government and the Opposition Unity Platform of Venezuela that is being praised there, and heralded as a forward step in consensus building and political cooperation.

As expected, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, headed by Minister Hugh Todd, quickly took note and sounded its rejection.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that while it welcomes the idea of internal political agreement, Venezuela should not seek to allot unto itself a property that is neither its own, nor for which it does not have the exclusive rights and sovereignty.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said, too, that this is yet another overt threat to Guyana’s territorial sovereignty. The ministry pointedly declared that Guyana must not be used as an altar of sacrifice for Venezuela’s settlement of internal political differences. It pointed out, too, that the Venezuelan agreement defies international law and process, and, therefore, cannot function as the basis for mediating harmony.

Firstly, this response is both timely, appropriate, and sound.
It is fitting that the diplomatic circles understand what Venezuela is hoping to accomplish in 2021 by this accord.
It is seeking to use this internal agreement to get support in Venezuela back to pre-pandemic and pre-2015 levels.

With all the corruption sagas, accusations of bureaucratic excesses, human rights violations, food shortages, COVID-19 pandemic cases, and political gridlock over the parliamentary elections, one might think there are a plethora of issues that warrant the two sides to meet and discuss. The border controversy is not the first or the most important thing that leaders should be thinking about at this time.

Harmony and unity are not fixed permanently in this manner. Needless to say, this agreement is just another diversionary tactic used to whip up support internally in Venezuela.

Secondly, the move by the government shows that the ministry and all abroad are watching and guarding Guyana’s sovereignty. Since back in 2018, with the case involving the territorial claim made by Venezuela being placed in the hands of the World Court, Guyana is alert, so that anything that even borders on a threat would be taken seriously. This case is the most important for Guyana and its people moving forward into the future.

Thirdly, Guyana must try harder to beef up its security in key areas along the Essequibo borders. Exploitation and oil-and-gas activities in this Essequibo region must be closely monitored. All new agreements with the Venezuelan counterparts must be closely analysed.

Fourthly, we all must have our eyes and ears focused on border issues and the controversy. After all, Government is doing its part in the proceedings of the World Court and nationally. Every political party, inclusive of the Opposition APNU+AFC must stand firmly behind the government. There must be no sign of division and divisiveness. We must give our support to ensure that our sovereignty is protected, and any threats are sufficiently warded off.

Our political bickering will give way to the pride we take in being Guyanese first. We have to settle down, politically, and watch our interests, because all the Essequibo waters and land are ours. Every grain of rice and mountain is Guyana’s territory.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Younge