The final night of the Lethem rodeo was cancelled last evening over security concerns.
This was confirmed by Chairman of the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo region, Clarindo Lucas, who told Stabroek News by telephone that the decision had been made following “a disclosure of a programme to have some kind of action here by the bandits”. He said that because of this, in the interest of spectator safety, the rodeo committee decided to cancel the remaining events.
Stabroek News was told that the only events left for last evening were the Rodeo Pageant and the party afterwards. Lucas said that the other events had been run off throughout the day. Chairman of the Rodeo Committee, John Macedo could not be reached for a comment last evening but a member of the committee, who was at the Triple ‘R’ Rodeo ground when contacted, confirmed that the events had been cancelled “in the interest of spectator safety”. The ground is located some distance away from the centre of the border community of Lethem.
A spectator at the event told this newspaper that just around 6 pm yesterday, an announcement over the loudspeaker stated that all the remaining events for the rodeo were cancelled. “They said that everybody should head home for personal safety,” the spectator said adding that a large number of persons streamed out of the ground while others lingered.
Commander of E&F Division, responsible for Lethem, Gavin Primo told Stabroek News last night that his officers in the community advised him yesterday afternoon that the Rodeo Committee through its chairman, Macedo decided to call off the last evening of the three-day event after they reportedly received calls. Primo could not say what the calls threatened or who they came from. He told this newspaper that the security forces were better positioned and prepared to deal with any threat of criminality at the Rodeo than any other previous event. “We are quite confident that the joint services had adequate security…we sat and planned an extensive security plan for the event,” Primo contended.
He added that they were well prepared for any eventuality and will remain prepared to respond to any criminal threat.
Lucas said that both the police and army had been providing security at the event. He said that a fair number of persons had attended the event and noted that he agreed with the decision made to cancel the event. He added that persons travelling to the community should take precautions and report suspicious events. (Gaulbert Sutherland)
