‘This is bigger than all of us’ – Jagdeo says gov’t & opposition united on Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo says there is no questioning the commitment and unity of the government and the opposition in face of Venezuela’s continued claim to Guyana’s territory.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton met this week to discuss Venezuela’s recent aggression including a proposed referendum that seeks, among other things, the approval of Venezuelans for the annexation of Guyana’s Essequibo region.
Following that meeting, both sides clearly communicated that they are united on the matter.
Asked about the Opposition’s sincerity on the matter, the Vice President said, “Yes they are serious and I would not question their sincerity on that matter.”
In fact, Dr. Jagdeo said the two sides are very much united in all efforts to protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
So much so that even during the five-month period when there were attempts by the APNU+AFC to derail the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, his party, the PPP/C which is now in government, engaged in discussion about the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“This is bigger than all of us.
“You know we can have our internal politics and fight over issues but where it concerns our country, our sovereignty, our people as a whole, that is something outside of politics,” Jagdeo said.
Venezuela claims two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, that is, the entire Essequibo region and the exclusive economic zone offshore.
After bilateral talks failed, the matter was referred to the World Court where Guyana is seeking a final, binding judgement that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.
What is outstanding in this matter regarding the building of a solid and united front to repel and dispose of the claim of Venezuela to more than two thirds of the jurisdiction of Guyana is the issuing of a clear statement by the Opposition in respect of the existential threat that the country now faces and Norton’s commitment to stay with the process of loyalty building and fatherland defending against Venezuelan threat to annexe the Essequibo Region using the invalidity of a domestic referendum that will be held on 3 December 2023.
Just physical participation in the meetings with the President is good but not enough evidence of his total commitment to invoke the underpinnings of the strong instinctive and natural territorial imperative to defend your birthland in the face of an illegal, imperialistic and use of force imminent invasion similar to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that Venezuela supported in the full knowledge that it can do the same to its neighbour Guyana.
We need to hear a statement issued by Norton and what he proposes to do also to reinforce the public relations and information dissemination demarche that the Committee proposes to embark upon to solidify the support of the people who all face a huge disruption to their lives and the current pace of economic and social development in Guyana from having to divert resources to buy guns within a short space of time and train additional citizens to defend its territorial integrity, its political independence, its sovereignty and indeed its future existence as a state subject of international law.
Please Mr Norton of the APNU show and demonstrate vocally and by programming some loyalty and patriotism that can inspire a total effort to repel this invasion of the place that you call home but in which there can be no dissension as how you all can defend this impending, naked, illegal and inhumane threat from outside the jurisdiction of Guyana and derail the rapid and equitable process of development that is changing the face of your country beyond all expectations.
Only now the parliamentarians can agree 100%.
We must work together when outside aggression/interference turns up.We must agree to hold one ‘head’.
After this episode,I trust that my parliament ( club of 65) can do a better job at agreeing on the abc’s of doing their jobs to improve ALL Guyanese lives.
Dave Martin’s song” not a blade of grass” comes to mind everyday for me.
Prepare one and all for a possible disruption to our daily lives should President Maduro get his way with his referendum.
I pray that the Venezuelan people will vote wisely.NO to Muduro.
Enough is enough.Thousands of venezuelans are scattered all over the world,including Guyana due to Maduro poor judgement.
Maduro declared that he supports Palestine,but plans to “take over ” essequibo by GUN BOAT diplomacy.
Each time in the elections history of venezuela,they beat the drums of “essequibo is theirs”.
Perhaps after being sanctioned by the USA government to have free and fair elections and free from fear,plus releasing all jailed political party leaders,he (maduro) is under pressure to comply .
HENCE we hear the drums of ” taking over essequibo”.
Well we have ICJ that they are afraid of and CARICOM support.
NOW LET US BE LIKE GOOD GUYANESE AND PREPARE FOR A SWIFT REBUTTAL TO THIS AGRESSION,come what may.
I pray for the war between Israel and Palestine (hamas) come to an immediate end.
I pray for our nation Guyana that we are NOT forced to defend ourselves militarily.
I am ready.don gomes m.s (2011) .
I have been told by many that the Venezuelan migrants would be in dire danger as they will receive the anger of the people that they live around .
Remember they are migrants,who all ran from Maduro government…an illegal government by the way!
God bless Guyana always.Who God bless,no man curse!