–PM urges Guyanese, amidst proliferation of fake news surrounding Guyana/Venezuela border controversy
OFFICIALS are once again calling on the public to rely only on authorised channels regarding information on the ongoing Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.
While acknowledging the many concerns of the populace, Prime Minister, Briagdier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, urged citizens to only seek out and share information from official government sources.

“I wish to emphasise the importance of relying on official sources for national security and public safety information. We are working tirelessly to ensure that the interests of every Guyanese citizen are safeguarded, and we encourage everyone to remain calm and rational during this period,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

The government, he said, has made note of recent messages shared amongst communities. Some of these have raised concerns particularly in anticipation of the upcoming Venezuelan referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo.
These messages, the Prime Minister said, could potentially spread unnecessary fear and anxiety among citizens.

“Don’t always allow yourself to sit down and let somebody tell you about the border controversy, sometimes it’s good to go and do the reading yourself, because you have children to educate, your family; you have relatives, you have people in your neighbourhood. If you are a leader, they will ask you questions,” the Prime Minister said on Monday.

Recently, the Bolivarian Republic announced its plans to hold a referendum over Guyana’s territory on December 3, 2023. The Government of Guyana has since approached the ICJ for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its planned referendum. This referendum seeks to garner support from the Venezuelan populace to claim two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

In response, the Guyana Government has embarked on a vigorous awareness campaign which has seen many sections of the population uniting.
Guyanese are gearing up for a day of prayer and fasting on December 3 to coincide with Venezuela’s planned referendum.

Religious leaders and groups will lead this spiritual initiative which will start with a symbolic human-chain formation, whereby citizens will join hands to exhibit the collective strength of the nation.
Meanwhile, both government and private sector agencies have been hosting sensitisation programmes.
“We have to ensure that every Guyanese…children in the schools, old folks who are shut in at homes, every Guyanese must be clear that Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” Prime Minister Phillips said.