Ramana says Region One residents feel ‘safe’ despite border controversy

Despite the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, residents in Region One are feeling safe and more secure now, according to Regional Commander for Division One, Senior Superintendent Krishnadat Ramana.

“We know a controversy exists, yes, but the people, their lives go on from day to day and I don’t think they are in any fear because they are positive that their government is going to look at their welfare and at the same time, the police and the joint services we have been doing a lot of patrols in river and in land along the border areas and I can tell you the border area its very safe at this point,” Commander Ramana said during an interview on Radio Eve Leary this week.

Venezuela has announced that it intends to hold elections over the Essequibo region for which Guyana has administered for over 100 years. Over the past weeks, Venezeula has been issuing notices on the candidates for these elections.

Guyana maintains that Essequibo is an integral part of its sovereign territory, a position upheld by the International Court of Justice in its December 2023 ruling. So the Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.

Last Thursday, the ICJ in a statement said, “Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”

Meanwhile, Commander Ramana highlighted the critical role community involvement plays in maintaining security, noting that over 400 members of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) are actively working alongside the Guyana Police Force in border areas.

In early March this year, a Venezuelan vessel had approached Guyana’s assets within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) sparking condemnation from Guyana’s regional and international partners.

“Persons I can say, compared to last year they are more relaxed because they feel confident that the government is protecting them, the police force, the army, they have seen the visibility,” Commander Ramana said as he emphasised the importance of public partnership.

“The police cannot be everywhere at the same time and that is why we need this partnership approach, this stakeholder approach, business persons they have been reaching out to us who are living at border location, residents, kids from the youth groups, CPG members so we know when things are happening and when things are not,” Ramana explained.

Commander Ramana further affirmed that both riverine and inland patrols are ongoing along the border.