Now and forever, all of Essequibo belongs to all of Guyana -President Irfaan Ali

In a stirring speech on the eve of Venezuela’s sham elections to select a Governor for Guyana’s Essequibo, President Irfaan Ali noted Venezuela’s continuing acts of aggression and intimidation against Guyana, but declared that “now and forever, all of Essequibo belongs to all of Guyana”.

Addressing hundreds of residents of Anna Regina in Essequibo at a patriotic concert on Saturday night, President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to peace and the case that is currently before the International Court. He said Venezuela has been flouting the orders of the International Court, but Guyana will remain resolute in its position.

“Venezuela’s claim to these waters is just as far-fetched as its claim to Guyana’s land territory”, President Ali said.

The President defended Guyana’s move to the International Court of Justice over the controversy seeking the reinforcement of the 1899 Arbitral Award. He said Guyana’s move was within its rights.

“Today, in one voice all of Guyana, one Guyana say to Venezuela that you are dead wrong. And all of it belongs to all of Guyana. Guyana has informed Venezuela of all the activities that it has authorized have been or are being carried out in maritime areas where Guyana alone enjoys sovereignty or exclusive sovereign rights”, the President stated as he made reference to Venezuela’s objections to oil production taking place within Guyana’s waters.

President Ali said Venezuela has been clearly informed by the Government of Guyana that Guyana will not bend and remains strong against its acts of aggression and intimidation.

“As recent as this week, our military personnel patrolling the Cuyuni river, came under fire from armed gangs on the Venezuelan side of the river. Guyana formally protested this attack and reminded Venezuela that under international law, Venezuela bears the responsibility for ensuring that its territory not be used to attack or otherwise harm Guyana, and we insisted that Venezuela take immediate action to apprehend those criminals and others and bring them to justice”, the President said.

Venezuela has been consistently condemned by the international community over its acts of aggression against Guyana. Guyana Defence Force ranks operating in the area recently came under fire in three attacks within 24 hours. There was a previous attack two months ago at the same bordering location.

“Before you spend time on a sham elections, spend the resources and time to bring those criminal to justice that are operating on your side of the border”, President Ali said.

The President there will be no negotiation or talks with Venezuela over Guyana’s territory and the long established borders.

He said “our borders were settled in the Arbitral Award of 1899, an international boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was established then, and this man made controversy invented by Venezuela will be appropriately dealt with, at the ICJ. No other way, no other means, because we are sure of what is ours and Essequibo is ours”.

The event in Essequibo saw those in attendance dressed in colours of the Guyana flag and waving the national flag throughout the event, which was peppered with talent pieces that included national songs, calypso, poetry and dance.

The Guyana Defence Force has stated that it has increased its border patrols. There is no evidence of Venezuela hosting any election today in any part of Guyana’s territory, but a number of bordering communities are being closely monitored.

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