Not a square inch of Guyana’s territory will be ceded – Pres Ali

Ahead of the “fictitious” elections Venezuela has claimed it will hold for a Governor for Guyana’s Essequibo territory, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasized that “not a square inch would be ceded, now or ever”.

On Wednesday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali made it clear that Guyanese living in border communities close to Venezuela, have nothing to fear when it comes to the fictitious election Venezuela has said it will hold for Essequibo on May 25.
As a matter of fact, the President urged residents to wave their Guyana flags high. He further made it clear that not a single square inch of Guyana will be ceded to Venezuela, which has made unjust claims on Guyana’s Essequibo territory.
“We are 83,000 square miles. Proud and strong. Unshakeable, unbreakable. And that is how its going to be. We are respectful of international order. International rule of law. We continue to ask all residents to be proud of your heritage, fly your golden arrowhead very high, knowing that not a square inch will be ceded, now or ever,” the head of state said.
President Ali explained that Guyana’s actions amid the Venezuela border controversy are guided by three main pillars. These are diplomacy, support from the international community, and building capacity of its defense system.
“There are three tranches on which we’ve always defended our sovereignty and territorial integrity. One is diplomacy, first and foremost. We have always pursued diplomacy and diplomatic efforts, with our neighbours, the regional leaders and region itself. That’s the entire CELAC region and the international community.”
“The second issue is of course strengthening our own defense system. Ensuring that we have the best capability. In terms of protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity. And thirdly, it is also the support of the international community. Continuing to work with the international community. And an important part of that, is the international order. International rule of law and adhering to that. So, these are the plans with which we work.”
President Ali acknowledged that the government has been getting feedback on the situation from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, noting that he also made it clear that Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr. Richard Van West Charles and the embassy, have been instructed to continue advancing Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo County.
“Our instructions to the ambassador and the embassy there, is to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is well known to all stakeholders. When you’re an ambassador to a country, you’re not only speaking to the country. But you have your colleagues within that country, who are also being fed with different messaging. And you have that opportunity also to let them be aware of what the truth is,” the president said.
Very important partner
Meanwhile, asked to comment on recent statements from United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, expressing willingness to help Guyana with criminal elements in border regions, President Ali described the US as a very important partner to Guyana and also said that “the US is a very important partner. And they’re definitely part of what we’re doing.”
Ambassador Theriot had said on Tuesday that the US is prepared to support the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) in its efforts to combat the growing threat posed by foreign gangs along the Cuyuni River, a key stretch of the border between Guyana and Venezuela.
President Ali further explained that crimefighting is not just “guns and firing” but a lot of behind-the-scenes work. According to the President, crime fight is “gathering intelligence, it’s understanding what’s happening… we have a holistic approach to this matter as well as other matters.”
Only recently, the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) reported multiple armed attacks on its river patrols between May 13 and 15 by men in civilian clothing on the Venezuelan side of the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa.
The incidents have heightened tensions in a region already strained by Venezuela’s escalating rhetoric and controversial plans to hold so-called elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region on May 25, a move the US and international community have roundly condemned.