In wake of the recent escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo today said the Guyana Government remains steadfast in its position that the border controversy with Venezuela should be resolved peacefully. However, he said the increasingly aggressive posture of Venezuela is concerning.

Mr. Jagdeo said while efforts are ongoing for a peaceful resolution, Guyana will not stand idly by, if Venezuela’s aggression becomes physical.

“We are working with a number of partners around the world to ensure that any Venezuelan aggression that manifest itself in a physical form would be dealt with appropriately,” the Vice President said.

A few weeks ago, six Guyanese soldiers were shot in the Cuyuni River near the Venezuelan border. While it was suspected that they were attacked by members of a Venezuelan gang, information on the suspects has been sketchy.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves spoke with President Irfaan Ali by phone, and later traveled to Venezuela to meet with the Venezuelan President in an effort to quell the tensions.

Guyana currently has Venezuela before the International Court of Justice seeking a final confirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral award that settled the controversy.

“Let me assure you that those matters relating to the Venezuelan aggression against our country and their threat our territorial integrity and sovereignty are receiving the attention of the entire government at the highest level—at the Presidential level, I can assure of that,” Mr. Jagdeo noted.

The recent incursion by a Venezuelan Navy vessel offshore Guyana and the neighbouring country’s plan to host an election for a Governor of Guyana’s Essequibo are issues that the Vice President said are not being taken for granted by the Government of Guyana.

“These antics by the Venezuelan government you have to treat it seriously, that is why we approached the ICJ on the matter of their elections there and our partners are fully briefed etc, but I don’t really no Guyanese taking part in no Governor of Essequibo it is a treasonous act, and any Guyanese allows himself to appointed Governor of Essequibo that includes our territory,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

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