Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Relations, Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir has issued a call for the Government of Guyana to counter the disinformation that has been coming out of Venezuela in recent days.

In a statement, MP Walton-Desir highlighted recent video of a bridge being built by Venezuelan troops, with the claim by Caracas that it is being built to link Venezuela with Guyana’s Essequibo region.

According to Walton-Desir, any such move by the neighbouring country would be tantamount to an incursion or invasion into Guyana’s Essequibo.

She said to counter Venezuelan disinformation, there needs to be clear messages and updates from the Government to inform understandably concerned Guyanese of the actual situation on the ground.

The Opposition MP said the silence of the government is unacceptable, adding that the failure of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to convene a meeting of the Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations since November of 2023 is also unacceptable.

“The Ali Administration must move quickly to dispel Venezuelan disinformation. Frequent briefings at the Parliamentary level and public updates are essential for safeguarding our national security, and maintaining the public’s trust, calm, and confidence in these tense times. This will in turn strengthen social cohesion among Guyanese and promote positive international relations”, she said.

MP Walton-Desir recently attempted to get answers from the Foreign Minister on the issue during the last sitting of the National Assembly, but her questions were shut down.

The Government has been relatively quiet on recent statements from Venezuela.

Just last week, the Venezuelan Government objected to a flyover of Georgetown by US fighter jets as part of a planned training exercise with the Guyana Defence Force.

A few weeks ago, Venezuela signed new legislation into law to strengthen its claim of Guyana’s Essequibo region. Guyana wasted no time to inform the international community about that move, and the issue was even raised and discussed at a closed door session of the UN Security Council.

There have been reports for months about the build up of Venezuelan troops in an area close to the border with Guyana. The Guyana Government has indicated that it will continue to monitor the situation and will rely on its international partners and allies, if there is any attempt by Venezuela to invade Guyana’s territory.

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