Police Force has built up capacity in bordering regions -Hicken

Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken made it clear today that the Guyana Police Force with backing from the Joint Services will defend Guyana’s territory.

“Guyana belongs to us, and we will police Guyana as far as practical,” the Police Commissioner said while addressing officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary today.

His statement comes on the heels of increasing threats from Venezuela and the build-up of Venezuelan Military troops at the border close to Guyana.

He said the Force has increased its capacity within border communities.

“We have police regions within the boundaries and borders of Guyana, and as we speak, the police and members of the joint services, they are working very hard, and we have built our capacity at the border region and so, we are bringing some comfort to the regions out there,” Hicken said.

Today, Venezuela told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that with or without a third-party intervention, its planned referendum on the Essequibo will go ahead. Guyana has long registered its strong objection of Venezuela’s claim of the Essequibo.

“Our final decision is at the ICJ, and the Police members, Commanders and Members of the Joint Services, will remain resolute in that regard,” Hicken said.

Last week, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai told the National Assembly that Indigenous Guyanese, particularly those residing in the North West District near Venezuela border, are living in fear amid a build-up of Venezuelan military troops in border communities close to Guyana.

Guyana, during its appearance before the ICJ, told the Court that it still has time to stop Venezuela from engaging in a referendum that would undoubtedly infringe on Guyana’s territory, and possibly lead to an attempt by Caracas to unlawfully seize control of the Essequibo Region.