Over the past few days, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has once more demonstrated its penchant for polarising rhetoric, this time with damaging accusations that undermine Guyana’s unified front against Venezuelan aggression.
Not only is this move ill-timed, but it is also dangerous, in that it seeks to shatter the national unity that has been a bulwark of Guyana’s defense against Venezuelan claims to its sovereignty.
The ongoing border controversy with Venezuela continues to pose a serious and persistent threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Guyana.

Venezuela’s recent actions, including the incursion of a naval ship into the Guyana EEZ and the announcement to conduct elections in the Essequibo region, are naked violations of international law and the letter and spirit of the Argyle Agreement.
These actions not only escalate tensions but also repudiate the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for the laws of international intercourse.

It is now necessary for all political factions in Guyana to remain firm against foreign aggressions. The PPP/C has ever shown unflinching commitment to the attainment of the territorial sovereignty of Guyana by diplomatic means and resort to international institutions like the ICJ.
The recent submission of Guyana’s final written submission to the ICJ is a testament to this commitment, as the country seeks to affirm the 1899 Arbitral Award and uphold the demarcated border between Guyana and Venezuela.

AFC’s polarising stance is not only risky but also irresponsible. It is in the interest of those who would want to exploit Guyana’s fragmentation for their own sake. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s characterisation of AFC’s language as “vile and disgusting” highlights the seriousness of the issue.
The AFC must realise that there must be national cohesion in the face of foreign aggression and eschew actions that would compromise Guyana’s position at the global stage.

As Guyana proceeds with this complex and sensitive issue, it is imperative that all political parties place national interests above partisan politics. The country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not political negotiating cards to be used in political games.
Instead, they are fundamental principles that need to be upheld with cohesion and determination. The AFC must learn to recognise the risks posed by polarising words.
It is only by standing in unity that Guyana can adequately safeguard its territorial integrity and usher in the peaceful resolution of the present border controversy