Story and photos by Indrawattie Natram

PERSONS from various parts of Region Two showed up in their numbers on Sunday to voice their strong objection to Venezuela’s brazen claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Many wore t-shirts with the Guyana map boldly displayed on the front and proudly waved the Golden Arrowhead as they listen to addresses by Vice-President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond. The two senior government officials travelled to the region as part of the Government of Guyana’s ongoing campaign to educate and update the populace about the situation and to assure them that the government is committed to preserving Guyana’s territorial sovereignty and will not fall prey to Venezuela’s bullying tactics.

A massive crowd congregated at the Anna Regina car park to listen to the two officials.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with several of the persons who attended and they felt at ease with the assurances that were given.

“I feel much better. I was very worried with the annexing, and the referendum but with the clear explaining, we are now more confident and I have a strong message for Venezuela and that is they will not get a blade of grass,” Angela Buddhoo, a young Essequibian said.

Another resident, Vinod Persaud said that for the past few years, Venezuela nationals have flocked Essequibo and they were never treated inhumanely or as outcasts.

Persaud said that the controversy can be settled with mutual understanding and he call on the officials from Venezuela to do so peacefully.

Essequibians believe that any attempt at annexation will be illegal. They said that the referendum is being held to drive fear into Guyanese.
Meanwhile, Ashley Fredericks said that Essequibians will not succumb to fear and everyone will continue to stand tall.

“We are more confident now and we are happy that the Vice-President came and explained in detail. We are not worried and we are here to stay, Essequibo has always been part of Guyana” Ameila Roberts said.

Residents said that they have confidence that the Government of Guyana and the International community will represent Guyana.

“We are praying and we have support. We in Guyana are peaceful people and we don’t [cause] trouble. That matter was settled and it’s time for Venezuela to accept the settlement that was made in 1899,” Nikita Andrews said.

Residents said that they are more equipped with the knowledge on the controversy and understood what the Jagdeo said in his address.

Guyana is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking a final binding judgement reaffirming the 1899 Arbitral Award that was established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

Guyana has issued repeated statements denouncing Venezuela’s aggressive stance to no avail.