Executive Director of the Amerindian People’s Association, Jean La Rose, has made a plea for the Indigenous communities that border Venezuela to be kept up-to-date via official channels of communication.

She acknowledged that because some of the residents in those communities do not speak English, many of them are becoming even more fearful.

The APA Head made the comments at last evening’s public forum on the border controversy, which was hosted by the University of Guyana and its Tain Talks series

“Our people are scared! Our people are scared because they don’t know what is happening, they don’t know that a referendum is about to take place, they don’t know what the referendum means, they don’t know if the referendum is successful what will happen,” La Rose told the forum.

She said there is a lot of rumour mongering in the Hinterland communities, but it is difficult to differentiate fact from fiction in many cases, based on what is being witnessed by the residents there. She said the lack of information has been heightening the fear.

“So, you are left to guess what the situation be, and you are left to put together your old thoughts what would happen. Some people remember Ankoko (the 7.5Km Island in the Cuyuni River seized by Venezuela in 1966)., which once belongs to Guyana and now its occupied. We are living in a time when the younger generation in our communities are now feeling that fear and are wondering what to do, whether to move from that community, whether to stock up on food supplies,” Ms. La Rose told the audience.

The APA Executive Director said residents are looking for assurances from their leaders.

“I want to encourage our people, stay in your home, that is what you own, stay on your lands, that is what you own, that is the patrimony of our ancestors and your forefathers, stay and guard it,” she urged the Indigenous communities.

Hours after Ms. La Rose’s comments, President Ali and a team flew into Region One and visited several bordering communities reassuring residents that all will be well. 

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