Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday told residents of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam that Venezuela will never succeed and Essequibo belongs to Guyana.
Jagdeo made those remarks at an engagement at the Anna Regina Car Park, noting that the matter between Guyana and Venezuela is currently at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Guyana has the support of the entire international community. He told residents that there are a lot of negatives circulating, mostly lies peddled by the Maduro administration.
He said that Guyana is a unique country and will overcome the threats to its borders as the country has taken definite steps to resolve the issue.
“We will resolve this like we did when Suriname stopped the oil exploration and we went to the UN convention and we got a favourable ruling because we believe in international law,” Jagdeo said.
Jagdeo said that although Venezuela had claimed it did not want to go before the ICJ it still went twice before the court.
“They have no case cause they cannot prove that they are now resorting to unilateral actions, they getting away with referendum… We do not want their ID cards, it’s useless,” Jagdeo said.
He assured residents of Essequibo that officials of the government are aware of everything that is going on and are paying keen attention. He said that the officials are doing everything to ensure the safety of the residents.
He told them not to fear or worry about anything and that Essequibo has always been Guyana and will always be.
Jagdeo said nothing is taken for granted and the government is working on the issues and also working with the diplomatic corps to come to a resolution. He also called on residents not to listen to false narratives that are emerging from Venezuela that are all geared at slowing up Guyana’s development.
He said that the issue is an unifying one, and all governmental officials and even the opposition stand united on it. He said that the issue is just a stumbling block to impede Guyana’s development.
At the end of the engagement, some residents said they felt at ease while some were still worried.
“The explanation was clear but we hope Venezuela respect Guyana’s call for peace in the issue, we are happy people and we don’t create issues, Essequibo belongs to us,” one resident said.
