Gov’t. should lobby for more active support from the international community amidst Venezuela’s aggression on border matter – Former GDF Chief of Staff

Oct 25, 2023 News

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Kaieteur News – Former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best believes the Government of Guyana should take steps to lobby for more active support from the international community in the face of growing threats from Venezuela on that country’s claim of the county of Essequibo.

Best expressed hope during an online podcast hosted by social activist Mark Benschop, that there will be a more proactive approach to the issue from the Government of Guyana and its international partners.

His comments came on the heels of a statement issued by Venezuela’s Minister of Defence GJ Vladimir Padrino López.

Padrino López made renewed claims to Guyana’s Essequibo region despite the unresolved border controversy case between the two countries that is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

However, the retired GDF Head described the Venezuelan Minister’s claims as misguided. “If you look carefully at what he is saying, it is that Essequibo was never a part of Venezuela at the time, they were fighting for independence. Additionally, if you check the Essequibo region you will find Dutch names, French names, and English names at no point in time did Venezuela ever occupy the Essequibo Region or anything East of Essequibo,” Best said.

“The goodly gentleman is out of step with the reality and history of this situation.   So, Guyanese should not be worried about what he has to say,” Best continued.

He added, nonetheless, that Guyana should maintain its diplomatic efforts to bring the controversy to a close.

“The first line of defense in the context of Guyana is diplomatic. We fight a diplomatic battle. It doesn’t mean that our soldiers are not trained to defend Guyana. Our troops are trained to identify aggression. But we would expect more diplomatic effort by the State because I recall the 80’s and 70 there were more active international partners speaking to the issue.  I would expect the government to get international partners the African Union, the United Nations, in South America Brasilia speaking on the issue and CARICOM and even  Havana, Cuba- all the other important diplomatic partners adding their voices to the issue,” Best said.

He said too, that he looks forward to seeing a joint parliamentary session on the border.

“I would expect all our elected members to hold a discussion and address the nation on the way forward,” the former Army Chief said, adding that the anxiety among the population can be reduced by actions taken by President Irfaan Ali and his government.

“We need the unswerving commitment from the international community in addition to the President addressing the nation on this issue so that the nation can have confidence.”

Best said too that the Prime Minister retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, a former Chief of State himself, should add his voice to this issue. Besides this, the former GDF head believes that Brazil can play a major role in assisting Guyana with its diplomatic approach.

“I believe Brazil wouldn’t want to see any major change with our border. This is in addition to having our Foreign Affairs Minister getting out there and having direct talks with our international allies,” he iterated.

Added to this, the former army chief said increased military capability is needed at this time to assist the GDF in carrying out its functions.

“I think a part of the budget should go towards increasing our defense and military capability because we have valuable resources to project, what’s the use having valuable resources if you can’t protect it,” he said.

On Monday, the Government of Guyana deplored the move by Venezuela to seek a referendum to annex the county of Essequibo as the Bolivarian Republic continues to further its unlawful claims to the mineral-rich region of the country.

Venezuela media reported on Monday that the country’s electoral commission will ask its citizens to answer five questions at a referendum billed for December 3, 2023, as part of the Bolivarian Republic’s claims to the Essequibo.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Monday night, the Government of Guyana said it has taken careful note of the issuance by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela of the five questions to be asked in December’s national referendum.

The Irfaan Ali -led government said among other questions, all of which are intended to further Venezuela’s unlawful and unfounded claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory, question five is the most pernicious.

“It brazenly seeks the approval of the Venezuelan people of the creation of a new Venezuelan State consisting of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, which would be incorporated into the national territory of Venezuela, and the granting of Venezuelan citizenship to the population.” This, the government said amounts to nothing less than the annexation of Guyana’s territory, in blatant violation of the most fundamental rules of the UN Charter, the OAS Charter, and general international law. Such a seizure of Guyana’s territory would constitute an international crime of aggression, the government noted.

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• Gary Best, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Mark Benschop, Rear Admiral, Venezuela

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