Guyana has expressed concern about non-state actors such as Colombian and Venezuelan guerrillas and gangs occupying areas near this country’s borders.
“We know the risks. We know the challenges which are in Venezuela, and we are concerned about the questions of instability, particularly in the presence of non- state actors in eastern Venezuela, particularly on our borders. Here I make reference to remnants of the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia], the ELN [Ejército de Liberación Nacional], the Tren [Tren de Aragua], and others supporting their efforts in the form of the malandros [gangs] and others who are involved in drug trafficking, people trafficking and smuggling of minerals and other things,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told a Regional Security Service (RSS) forum on March 22nd.
“Guyana does not have any designs on Venezuelan territory. Guyana provides support for perhaps more than 30,000 registered Venezuelan persons in our territory. We still view Venezuelans as our cousins. There are thousands of Guyanese and their descendants in Venezuela itself. And we look forward to their protection in their territory on the similar basis, that we through the government and its agencies and our people themselves, provide to Venezuelan migrants here in Guyana,” he added.
In recent months Eteringbang in Region Seven has seen an upsurge in criminal activity, much of it believed to be associated with the ‘Sindicatos’ from nearby Venezuela.
The area across the Cuyunu River has also seen heightened activity by Venezuelan military personnel.
For much of last year, Eteringbang could only be accessed by boat as the airstrip in the community had not been completed.
Miners, shopkeepers, and residents, in Cuyuni-Mazaruni had last September bemoaned the alleged harassment and robbery by the Venezuelan National Guard and the notorious Sindicato gang.
For the past six or more years, some persons had no option but to relocate while others have to fend for themselves despite the presence of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the border between Guyana and Venezuela.
It is alleged that there are four checkpoints between Akarabisi and Eteringbang (one National Guard and three Sindicatos) and at every checkpoint they would have to stop and allow the armed guards and “Sindicatos” to examine their boats. Additionally, depending on what they are transporting, they are also required to pay, for example, $2,000 per drum of fuel and food and other supplies.
To make matters worse, with the closure of the Eteringbang airstrip, the shortage of supplies has forced residents to use the river exclusively and thus have no choice but to face the illegal checks.
In March of last year, Region Seven Commander, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore, had said that the security issue remained under control even though a resident Stabroek News had spoken to, had disagreed vehemently.
Stabroek News also spoke with Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and he had pointed out that the airstrip completion was set for July of last year. The airstrip was being constructed by the Guyana Defence Force.
