Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai has indicated that Indigenous Guyanese, particularly those residing in the North West District near the border with Venezuela, have found themselves living in fear amid the build-up of Venezuelan military troops close to the Guyana border.

While rejecting Venezuela’s claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, Minister Sukhai told the National Assembly on Monday that Indigenous Guyanese are already feeling the impact of Venezuela’s increased aggression and threats.

“Mr Speaker, Venezuela has now gone beyond provocation. On the north-western area of Guyana, mainly Amerindians reside there and they are living under intimidation and heightened tension. And they will be impacted the most,” Minister Sukhai said.

Stating that Venezuela should not be allowed to fuel the controversy, the Amerindian Affairs Minister said the neighbouring country is a clear threat to the peace and security of communities that line the border.

“Further movements of military personnel and I suspect arsenal by Venezuela military on the shores of Guyana represents a confirmation that the Government of Venezuela continues to misrepresent the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The same agreement by which the General Secretary of the United Nations exercised his mandate to commit the resolution of the controversy at the International Court of Justice,” Minister Sukhai said.

And Opposition Member of Parliament and Indigenous Leader, Vincent Henry told the National Assembly that Essequibo is home to the Indigenous people of Guyana, and will remain their home notwithstanding the threats and provocation by Venezuela.  

“Mr Speaker, Essequibo is our El Dorado. It is our home, and we are proud to live there. Mr Speaker, please allow me to say the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana stand firmly with all Guyanese in saying to the world that Essequibo, our El Dorado, county is ours and will stay ours,” MP Henry.

On Monday, the National Assembly, unanimously passed a Resolution denouncing Venezuela’s ongoing claims of Guyana’s Essequibo region and the country’s planned referendum on the border controversy.

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