–Army, police to investigate claims

By Shauna Jemmott

THE Guyana Police and Defence forces (GPF and GDF) are investigating reports that a Venezuelan gang operating in the areas of Arau and Mango Landing — in Region Seven, along the Wenamu River in the Cuyuni Mining District and close to the Venezuelan border — has been terrorizing Guyanese miners, demanding from them gold, cash and other items.In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, confirmed that the army has received complaints of the attacks and is working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to investigate the matter.

He said soldiers and police stationed at Eteringbang have visited the area after receiving from the Guyanese miners complaints about harassment by Venezuelans armed with guns. The army has also received follow-up reports, and is preparing to dispatch another team of soldiers into the area, Brigadier Phillips said.

The Guyana Chronicle was first approached with reports on the matter on Sunday afternoon, when a woman expressed concern about her brother being in danger in the Arau backdam, near the Venezuelan border. Requesting anonymity, the woman said her brother telephoned her a week ago and told her of the presence of armed men operating from across the border demanding cash and gold from Guyanese.

The woman said her brother usually sends out gold to her in Georgetown and she sends items to him, but that has since stopped, as the Venezuelans are trying to control the waterways and boat captains are skeptical of working in the area.
Also requesting that the identity of her brother not be revealed, the woman said he had been scheduled to travel to Georgetown soon, but told her if the situation is not resolved, he may not be able to do so.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke on Monday with another person who had visited the Ministry of Natural Resources to lodge a formal complaint about the matter. The man, who operates a dredge in the area, had travelled into Arau last Wednesday, where he was confronted by the armed Venezuelans. According to the man, gang members indicated that they “come to control things there”, and were demanding a certain amount of gold from dredge and shop owners.

“(They) control everything at their terms,” the man complained. He said the gunmen are pirates reportedly from a group called “Cindy Cathas”, which also terrorises Guyanese on the Wenamu River. The man said that while persons know they should not pay the Venezuelans, they cooperate because their lives and the lives of others are at risk.

“Most people (are) using the Wenamu River because that is the only way you go by boat. They hold somebody boat there and they (later) give back the boat. I don’t know if (the person) paid or what. We want to work in peace; we shouldn’t be bullied and harassed…,” he said.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, has been informed of the miners’ plight, and has since reported the matter to the GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips. More than 100 Guyanese reside in this area that is being frequented by the gun-toting Venezuelans.