Based on tabulations, 21, 782 Venezuelan migrants have been registered in nine regions and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has once again called on the government to curb the influx.
Figures were provided in Parliament yesterday by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn. The number of Venezuelans here is believed to be higher.
The Opposition Leader made the call for curbs yesterday during the 69th sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where he opined that there must be a comprehensive screening and monitoring system for Venezuelans to ensure the safety of citizens in the hinterland communities which are on the border with Venezuela.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips earlier told the National Assembly that while the government is open to dialogue on other matters with Venezuela, issues relating to the border controversy will not be on the agenda as President Irfaan Ali meets with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.
Norton in response to this said that while the Opposition is not against the Government of Guyana’s position to meet with the Venezuelan President, citizens must be assured that the nation’s sovereignty will not be undermined.
The Opposition Leader said that while President Ali has made it pellucid that the territorial controversy which involves Essequibo is not up for bilateral discussion, there is still a need to exercise scepticism and Guyanese should know the agenda of the meeting before the Head of State departs for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The Parliamentary Opposition wishes to make it quite clear that we are not opposed to dialogue or discussions with the President of Venezuela as this could lead to better relations between the Governments and peoples of our two countries. Indeed, paragraph 3 of the Geneva Agreement recognizes that “closer cooperation between British Guiana and Venezuela could bring benefit to both countries”, he told the National Assembly yesterday at a private members’ sitting.
He continued “That is why since independence Guyana has sought and promoted bilateral relations with our Western neighbour across a spectrum of issues including health, education, and other relevant areas of development. It must also be recalled that during the Parliamentary debate on the territorial controversy, the opposition insisted that the door should always be open to dialogue”.
Although President Ali has agreed to a meeting with President Maduro on Thursday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, following mounting concerns at Venezuela’s aggressive stance, the Guyanese Head of State has made it clear that his country’s land boundary is not up for discussion.
Norton yesterday urged the government to pay key attention to how the government of Venezuela is handling the border controversy as they [the government] at no point showcased vulnerability on the issue at hand.
He also said that the government must honour its commitment to the citizens of Guyana and not discuss anything relating to the border but instead focus on how the two South American countries can promote tranquillity and order in the region.
“I want the government to pay attention to Sir. Shridath Ramphal’s statement on the matter “that it is important for the limits of the talks to be understood and that `false expectations’ should not be encouraged”, the Opposition Leader said. (See other story on page 2.)
“We have seen how the Government of Venezuela is treating the matter, that is why we cannot take President Maduro for granted, but treat the situation with seriousness in the best interest of our citizens”, Norton said.
Phillips stated: “Venezuela’s actions also violate the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter, which make it unlawful for any state to use or threaten force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. The acquisition or attempted acquisition of another state’s territory constitutes aggression which violates obligations under peremptory norms under international law”.
But Norton said that while the government continues to claim that it and the opposition are united on the matter of national interest, the Ali government continues to have unilateral discussions.
The People’s National Congress Reform Leader argued that the government and opposition should have been meeting more often to discuss mechanisms and policies that are effective in addressing the belligerence demonstrated by Venezuela as it relates to the border controversy.
He also lobbied for the implementation of a national border security committee in the event of any surprise attacks or aggression from Venezuelan military forces.
“Our Guyanese must be assured that we have the requisite mechanisms to defend ourselves, additionally I wish to remind the House that article 33 of the constitution states clearly that all Guyanese are bound to defend themselves and their country against any potential threat or incursion”, Norton said.
