`No to tyranny and aggression’

Schoolchildren were among those in Parliament for yesterday’s debate on a motion rejecting a controversial Venezuelan referendum set for December 3rd. (Department of Public Information photo)

The government and the opposition joined forces yesterday to unanimously approve a parliamentary motion rejecting a Venezuelan referendum on December 3rd which is seen as tantamount to the annexation of Essequibo with Prime Minister Mark Phillips saying that the Guyana will not  succumb to the tyranny and intimidatory tactics of Caracas.

“The time for negotiation is over. There will be no need for dialogue with Nicholas Maduro. There will be no meeting between Maduro and President Dr Irfaan Ali. Essequibo is no Bird Island (ceded by Dominica to Venezuela), no concessions through bilaterals. No to invasion, annexation, and other acts of aggression,” the prime minister declared emphatically in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, senior public servants and schoolchildren.