President David Granger, yesterday, declared Whitewater, Barima-Waini (Region One) and other communities near Guyana’s border with Venezuela, frontline communities in the fight to ensure the country’s territorial integrity.
A Ministry of the Presidency release said that the Head of State was at the time speaking to residents following a briefing at the new patrol base, which was set up by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the community on February 14, after the Regional Intelligence Committee reported in a letter to the Head of State some security concerns as a result of the present situation in Venezuela. The reports were acted upon swiftly by the Government and the base was set up in less than 72 hours, the release said.
Residents of Whitewater and surrounding satellite villages are pleased with this development, the release said. One resident, recounting his own experience and reports of threats to his life, said that members of the Venezuelan criminal gang, ‘Syndicatos’, have been coming across the border with their weapons, threatening residents and burning their lands. “The business people, who are living in Whitewater are not safe,” he said.
Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley said that not only is the Region faced with threats from the Syndicatos, but it is also dealing with Guyanese, who are returning home as a result of the crisis on Venezuela through illegal ports of entry. He added that there are also instances where Venezuelan farmers and traders cross over into Guyana’s territory to sell their produce and other commodities, the release said.