IN the recent weeks, our nation has witnessed an alarming increase in Venezuelan propaganda meant to create discord, unease and confusion regarding our territorial integrity.
The Government of Guyana has well condemned these “unpatriotic and constant attempts” by some individuals who spread Venezuelan propaganda on social media, most of which is either obsolete, irrelevant to Guyana, or entirely fabricated.

This disturbing trend deserves our country’s notice and attention as Guyanese citizens who value sovereignty and truth very highly.
The Essequibo region has been a target of Venezuela’s unfounded claims since colonial times.

Despite clear historical and legal precedents in support of Guyana’s sovereignty, Venezuela continues its vicious campaign of misinformation. December of 2023 witnessed President Maduro’s sham referendum to annex our Essequibo region into Venezuelan territory.

Venezuela now plans to hold an election allegedly in Guyana’s Essequibo region this Sunday, but again, there is no doubt that the Maduro regime will try to create confusion and fear with intense propaganda.

These actions are a calculated effort to shape global opinion and create domestic unrest within our citizens.
Most alarming is likely the high-tech capability of Venezuela’s propaganda apparatus. Their campaign now includes manipulated fake news videos, manipulated AI-generated photos, and large-

scale disinformation promoted through social media platforms by accounts associated with pro-Venezuelan interests.
We’ve also seen blatant lies, such as the false claim that Venezuelans had swapped their flag for that of Guyana –promptly denied by both President Irfaan Ali and the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force.

Such blatant attempts at deception show why caution and critical thinking are essential.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is appropriately cautioning citizens to have sole trust in official government announcements regarding issues related to the border controversy.

This caution must be heeded by all in Guyana who are genuinely interested in national security and social harmony. Such individuals who disseminate unverified facts – either through ignorance or malice – are inadvertently serving as vehicles for foreign propaganda designed to subvert our resolute stand on territorial integrity.

Our resource is in oneness and enlightened citizenship. Each Guyanese has an obligation to vet information prior to posting, to study credible sources, and remain steadfast against hate speech that serves only the interests of those who erode our sovereignty.

The historical fact very clearly supports the case of Guyana in this border controversy, which is why Venezuela is reduced to lying rather than pursuing its unfounded claims.
As we continue to resolve this controversy judicially, let us demonstrate to the world that Guyana is one, steadfast and resistant to propaganda. Our territorial integrity is non-negotiable, and our commitment to the truth is unwavering.

In this era of information warfare, an informed citizenry is our best defence against those who would attempt to advance their claims to territory by means of deceptions at Guyana’s expense.