PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, sharply criticised the Alliance For Change (AFC) for its recent statements which undermine Guyana’s united stance against Venezuela’s aggression.
At his weekly Freedom House news conference, Jagdeo condemned a recent statement by the AFC, accusing them of trying to undermine Guyana’s long-standing unified stance against external territorial threats, particularly regarding the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.
Earlier this week, the AFC made a controversial statement to the press, taking a divisive stance by attacking the governing PPP/C with damaging claims.

“For anything, they will destroy the solidarity we have,” Jagdeo said, further describing the AFC’s rhetoric as “vile and disgusting”.
He added: “Only a party like that could come up with something so vile to try to try to break the national solidarity that we’ve always had against Venezuelans for false claim to our territory.”
Guyana has always maintained a robust united approach against Venezuela’s claims and aggression.

Recently, a Venezuelan naval vessel, the ABV Guaiqueiri PO-11-IMO 469552, entered Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), coming dangerously close; approximately 700 metres, to the FPSO PROSPERITY, which was operating lawfully under a licence issued by Guyana.
The Venezuelan vessel made threatening radio communications, falsely claiming that the FPSO PROSPERITY was operating in Venezuela’s EEZ.
It then proceeded south-west, repeating the same aggressive message to other FPSOs operating in the region.
Additionally, Venezuela has announced that it plans to host elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Following this, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali had briefed Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on the latest issues related to the territorial controversy.
“You can’t conduct diplomacy in public, particularly on a sensitive matter like the border issue. It was a mature position,” Jagdeo stressed.

Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has, however, informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the planned Venezuelan elections are scheduled to take place on May 25, 2025, and would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana’s Essequibo region, affecting the Guyanese population and Guyana’s sovereignty over its territory. The country has requested provisional measures to restrict Venezuela from proceeding with its electoral activities.