Vaqueros from ranches throughout the Rupununi, the West Coast Demerara and from neighbouring Brazil showcased their skills at last weekend’s Rupununi Rodeo, which was called to an abrupt halt on Sunday over security concerns.
However, the cowboys still managed to perform in events such as bareback bronco riding, steer roping, wild cow milking and bull riding among others.
Chairman of the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo region, Clarindo Lucas, told Stabroek News by telephone on Sunday 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 cancelled were the Rodeo Pageant and the after-party.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad had declared the Rupununi Rodeo officially opened on Saturday.
The rodeo which started some 60 years ago at the Pirara Ranch in the Rupununi is now a tourism calendar event which attracts increased visitors of up to some 8,000 people in the Lethem area during the days leading up to the event.
Traditionally held every Easter weekend, this year’s rodeo saw improvements to the rodeo ground including two new pavilions to accommodate the increasing numbers of people. Prashad noted the importance of the event as it is the largest held in the region and attracts both locals and foreigners; hence, efforts are being made to improve access to the area, GINA said.
As a result of the increased number of visitors to the area during rodeo the Lethem/Bom Fin crossing is taxed as its usual capacity of accommodating 200 vehicles is doubled during the period. The release said the Takutu Bridge, expected to be completed by July, will ensure easier crossing.
According to GINA, Prashad said that with the bridge in place persons will be able to visit a wider range of locations in the Rupununi area, thereby, developing the tourism potential for the region and the rodeo can serve as the main attraction around which tourists will plan their trips.
Commander of E&F Division, responsible for Lethem, Gavin Primo told Stabroek News on Sunday night that his officers in the community advised him that the Rodeo Committee through its chairman John Macedo had decided to call off the last evening of the three-day event after reportedly receiving 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.
However, Lucas said that a fair number of persons had attended the event and 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.
