Benn warns of treason charge for anyone appointed by Venezuela to govern Essequibo

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn Wednesday said authorities are aware of Venezuelan ‘sleepers’ (or secret agents) in Guyana as he warned that there will be treason charges for any who support Venezuela’s election to appoint a governor and other officials for the Essequibo region.

“We know that there are some sleepers here; we’ve put out a few already,” Benn stated.

Speaking at a Police conference, Benn said any Guyanese or others who are appointed following the elections will be charged with treason.

“…if it’s a Guyanese who is appointed to be Governor of Essequibo and be placed at Anna Regina – we will charge that person for treason and lock them up; each and everyone of them.

“They are going to be charged for treason and anybody who is supporting them will also be charged,” Benn declared.

Guyana has formally filed a request for provisional measures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following Venezuela’s announcement to conduct elections on May 25, a day before Guyana’s 59th independence celebrations.