Guyana yesterday objected to Venezuela distributing food supplies to the displaced farmers of Buxton on Tuesday, saying that Caracas did not follow the protocols governing such interventions.
Newly sworn-in Foreign Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues told reporters yesterday that the government had registered its concerns with the Venezuelan ambassador to Guyana, Dario Morandy whom she met yesterday. According to Rodrigues, Venezuela had to be concerned about the sensitivities of the situation in Buxton, noting that there was a protocol when foreign countries provided assistance to locals. Rodrigues said she met with Morandy yesterday at which time the diplomat gave an undertaking that there would be no recurrence.
Diplomatic ties between Caracas and Georgetown had suffered a setback recently when Venezuelan soldiers raided Guyana’s territory, destroying two dredges belonging to Guyanese miners.
Venezuela has since apologized for the incident and the two sides agreed to work out steps to prevent a repeat.
On Tuesday the Venezuelan embassy donated foodstuff to several displaced farmers of Buxton with promises of more help, even while the joint services were mowing down farmlands aback of the village, as part of their security plan. The donation valued at US$500 ($100,000) was handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to be distributed to farmers — some of whom continue to lament the lack of access to their farms.
The joint services had launched a massive bush-clearing exercise behind Buxton and Friendship early in February, to nab criminals they believed were hiding out there. The exercise resulted in several farmers being displaced and their farmlands destroyed. Government has since set up a compensation scheme.
During his address Morandy said in the spirit of cooperation his government was willing to assist the farmers. “Venezuela’s and Guyana’s hunger is the same… we will always have this passion to come to this community and help the poor,” Morandy said.
He told the gathering that the embassy responded to a request made by the NDC through the African Cultural Development Association. Morandy said the embassy’s support was based on the request, but the community should leave the door open for future assistance.
Executive member of ACDA, Eric Phillips said that the association had received requests from Chairman of the Buxton/Foulis NDC, Randolph Blair, for assistance.
He said they forwarded those requests to all of the embassies here, but to date only the Venezuelan Embassy had responded.
The farmers in Buxton had complained about the economic hardships resulting from the destruction of their farms.
Several of the farmers lamented that they had not been getting the kind of compensation they had expected although the government set up a compensation scheme. Following the slaughter of 11 people including five children at Lusignan on January 26 residents of Mon Repos and other surrounding communities had urged President Bharrat Jagdeo to clear the backlands of Buxton as they said it was a hideout for criminals.
Gunmen operating out of Buxton in the past had resorted to the backlands for shelter after committing acts of violence.
