Opposition will not be ‘used’ by Gov’t. for optics  on border controversy

May 16, 2025 News

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…backs troops and Guyanese

Kaieteur News-  The Leader of the Opposition made it clear on Thursday that they will not lend support to the Government of Guyana (GoG) only at the State’s convenience with regard to the ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.

In a televised statement, Norton again expressed concern over the sidelining of the Opposition in Parliament and outside of the National Assembly, where planning and preparation efforts are concerned at the political level.

He explained, “We have made a number of proposals to the government in previous debates in the parliament and in meetings with the President, all of which the government failed to honour.”  With Venezuela planning to hold elections in the Essequibo Region on May 25, 2025 which would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana’s Essequibo region, affecting the Guyanese population and Guyana’s sovereignty over its territory, the Opposition Leader expressed frustration that government in response is planning a concert and a Motion in Parliament.

“We were aware that Venezuela is going to have these elections, or rather sham elections, and the government did absolutely nothing, but now, suddenly, they are telling us about a concert and a motion in parliament,” Norton said. The leader added, “We are deeply concerned that the government has no plan to ensure Venezuela is kept at bay. It is ridiculous, as far as we are concerned, that while the Venezuelans are seeking to hold an election purporting to have a governor in Essequibo, the Guyana government is inviting us to a concert. It makes absolutely no sense.”

He pointed out that a Motion was previously passed that states clear actions which should have been taken; however, the government failed to take the necessary actions. To this end, he explained, “We cannot continue to support a government that is inactive on the Guyana-Venezuela territorial controversy and seems to only come alive when Venezuela acts up. That is unacceptable. As the opposition, we have continuously given our support to the government, but the government refuses to engage the opposition.”

According to him, the government had the audacity to plan concerts without the involvement of opposition-controlled regions. “They did it all by themselves, but now coming to tell us that we must support a motion in parliament, that makes no sense to us,” the Leader argued. Norton pointed out that in a previous meeting with President Irfaan Ali, the issue of the handing over of the chairmanship of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs to the opposition was raised, where they were informed that a meeting would be convened and Amanza Walton-Desir would be appointed Chair of that parliamentary committee. To date, however, no action has been taken in that regard.

No chance for optics  

The Opposition Leader said, “Yet you now come seeking our assistance and cooperation. We do not intend at all to provide you with the opportunity for optics. We want genuine involvement if we are to confront the problems facing the people of Guyana, especially as they relate to the Guyana-Venezuela territorial controversy.”  He added, “There have been no serious meetings to even discuss a plan. Yes, we made many proposals, and you did not respond to them, but you also failed to convene meetings so that we can discuss critical national issues. As a government, you refused to put our representatives on boards.”

To this end, Norton made it clear that the Opposition will continue to support the people of Guyana where the controversy with Venezuela is concerned, but any future cooperation or assistance to the government on this issue will come only after the government engages and recognizes the role of the opposition.

He urged Guyanese to understand that the Opposition supports actions to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity, but is unhappy with a government that continuously promises to implement decisions and fails to do so. “The last time we debated, we were to have a proper national public relations programme. The President himself told me he was going to undertake it, and it never happened. We have had enough of the government wanting our support when Venezuela acts up, but then applies dictatorial methods to the people of Guyana, depriving them of freedom, depriving them of liberty, and the government operating as if it has the Transport for Guyana. We will bring it to an end. There will not be cooperation and support in such an environment,” Norton stated.

He said that Opposition members are aware that the arbitral award of 1899 settled the question of the border between Guyana and Venezuela. “Essequibo belongs to us, and we will continue our constant support to ensure Essequibo continues to be the property of Guyana. We support the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and we believe that we will have a positive outcome, and it is our view that all parties should honour the outcome of the judgment at the ICJ,” he added.

Additionally, Norton cited support for the country’s soldiers as he pointed out the need for more resources to be allocated in that direction. “We denounce Venezuela’s so-called elections in Essequibo. There can be no such elections. No Guyanese should be voting or be allowed to vote in such an election. Such elections are a violation of international law, and we support the actions to be taken to ensure that there are no elections held in the Essequibo, which belongs to Guyana,” the Leader stated.

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• Border, controversy, Motion, Norton, Parliament, support

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