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Revisiting Guyana-Venezuela relations

May 26, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
As we celebrate our independence, we should reflect on some of the things which transpired during our 45 years of Independence. On October 12, 1966, Guyana discovered that Venezuelan military and civilian personnel had occupied the Guyanese half of Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River. Apparently, the Venezuelans had begun developing an airfield and mining facilities on the island.
On January 4, 1969, a major disturbance occurred in the Rupununi region of southern Guyana. The ranchers of the Rupununi’s Savannah had unsuccessfully attempted a secessionist revolt. The police station in Lethem was attacked. Four policemen and one civilian employee of the police were killed. The insurgents then seized and blocked most area airstrips. The airstrip at Manari, eight kilometers from Lethem, was left open, apparently for the insurgents’ own use.
This was when the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force displayed their true colours. They moved quickly into the area and restored law and order. The insurgents retreated from our forces. Some of these insurgents flew to Brazil and some flew to Venezuela.
They were seeking to establish a separate state in Guyana. This attempt failed and Guyana was able to successfully defend its territorial integrity.
Other challenges to our sovereignty occurred, but we have been successful in defending Guyana. Hence, there is a legitimate reason for us to be proud of our achievement. The Venezuelans are no longer knocking at our doors. We have successfully utilized our diplomats to tame their wild ambitions. Norman Girvan, who has served us well over the years, continues to do so as the United Nation’s Good Officer.
The Venezuelan threat is reflected on some maps which incorrectly classify Guyana’s territory as “disputed territory,” in contravention of Guyana’s law and International Law.
Practically all of the issues pertaining to Guyana-Venezuela relations have been thoroughly researched, debated, and adjudicated. These deliberations have consistently resulted in Guyana’s vindication.
Guyanese also need to acknowledge that we have somehow unwittingly contributed to these problems by classifying our borders as being “disputed.” The fact of the matter is that the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela has already been drawn. In accordance with international law, there is no need to revisit the issues.
The international community has already addressed these issues by awarding these so called “disputed” territories to Guyana. So we won this case and we ought to be proud of ourselves. This is a good reason to celebrate our 45th year of Independence.
Winston Felix

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