THE political opposition is playing a dangerous game with Guyana’s territorial sovereignty that could undermine Guyana’s handling of the threats that are emanating from Venezuela.
Any right-minded citizen, after listening to the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton and APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Amanza Walton-Desir, would wonder if these individuals have any training in matters of diplomacy and governance.
In fact, both of them sound as though they do not understand the government’s posture and position on the border controversy, and the Venezuelan migrants and refugees.

This is despite the government offering up detailed information on its strategy for responding to the controversy, and to a lesser extent what the opposition appears to really want to know: How much Venezuelans are in Guyana, where they are settled and how much are registered to vote as Guyanese nationals.
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd, have given the opposition all the facts and information available at this time.

But the opposition keeps making these unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations under their breaths that the government is not handling the matter seriously and sufficiently. They continue to insinuate this and that, and point fingers as opposed to using the channels available at the level of the parliament and executive to get answers to specific things which they are claiming they are not satisfied with.

By doing this, they continue to undermine Guyana’s position and the solidarity that we, as a country, must have on the border controversy with Venezuela. They also need to stop playing opportunistic politics and political gamesmanship.
The border controversy is above the fray of normal politics and should be treated as such by the opposition. Norton and Desir, who are both seeking to outdo each other because of the looming upcoming PNC/R Congress, must not seek fame, likes, or attention with this very important issue.

Reckless statements could also cause mass hysteria and mass xenophobia towards the section of innocent Venezuelans and people who are here legitimately.
The opposition should speak and treat every single person, refugee and migrant with respect and universal decency even when talking about deportation and migration matters.

They should be responsible when discussing the border controversy and migrants issue, and resort to behaving like a responsible opposition which would pick up the phone and call the minister responsible or write him formally.
Too much is at stake for Guyana, for the opposition to be acting and sounding irrational. Venezuela is watching and listening to them. They want to see a division and a crack in Guyana’s iron fist position on the Essequibo.

Any basic lawyer, diplomatic expert or politician would know this. The opposition must curtail what is said in the public about the government with respect to this issue. It must always remain professional and responsible.
They must not give into the temptation of the Mark Benschops, Rickford Burkes, Glen Lalls and other personalities who usurp the roles of journalists and sane Guyanese at the media conferences.

The vote and motion that the opposition and government must agree to and unanimously approve will be a test of the seriousness and strength of Guyana’s Parliament and people on this border controversy.
After all, President Nicolas Maduro must be sent a strong message that he will understand, even if he is undergoing a mental health and political crisis in Venezuela.

Tomorrow, Guyana should stand with the parliament and sound its unified voice that despite the murmurs made by Venezuela, it will be business as usual but we are ready to defend our Essequibo.
For this reason and this reason alone, Norton and the opposition should put a hold on the politics and political statements, and stand firm with the government as we confront this threat head-on.