The government is silent, and the people are frustrated with the Venezuela/Guyana situation. Guyanese are looking for leadership right now on the issue and when the regime (Government) fails a competent Opposition must lead.” So said Mark Benschop, criminologist, social activist and host of the “Straight Up” programme streamed online and broadcast on 107.1 FM in an interview with Village Voice News.
There have been numerous reports of the influx of unchecked Venezuela migrants and the reported sighting of Venezuelan soldiers and artillery on the ground. Venezuela continues to claim two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and has been engaged in various forms of sabre rattling. And whilst Guyana, in 2018, has taken the border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month the Venezuela Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil to the United Nations Assembly the country will hold a referendum to vote on the issue.
Govt discriminates against Guyanese but silent on Venezuela’s aggression
Benschop said the situation “is chaotic, extremely chaotic from the standpoint that there is no leadership in Guyana.” Underscoring the point, the criminologist said Guyanese already know they are dealing with “an incompetent, corrupt government and if we expect anything good to come out of them, we will be disappointed.” We are in several crises and there is no political leadership in Guyana, Benschop shared.
Tuesday the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) held a press conference on the situation warning of what they called “soft invasion.” According to the APNU+AFC, the influx and uncontrolled integration of refugees can also facilitate the placement of fifth columnists and operatives into key government, military, and leadership positions both at the local and national levels…with far-reaching implications to our security, independence, and nationhood.”
Touching on the Opposition’s response Benschop said this issue requires more than one press conference but daily briefly, sometimes twice per day. On the ground the Venezuelans are moving in and Benschop feels this is because the Venezuelan authorities feel they can control President Irfaan Ali.
It is his view, Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro may have pulled Russia President Vladimir Putin on the Guyanese President, as was reportedly felt with Putin and United States President Donald Trump. It was generally viewed that Putin held secrets for Trump and was able to use this to influence US/Russia/geopolitical relations in Russia’s favour. “How else can you account for the installed regime’s silence and incompetence” he queried.
In the face of Venezuela’s aggressions, the talk show host pointed out Guyanese have heard nothing from Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips who was Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. According to the activist, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Phillips and other ministers in government “are quick to jump up and ‘buze out Guyanese, discriminate against the people and be spiteful, but on Venezuela’s sabre rattling and military presence in Guyana there is silence.”
Turning attention to the Guyana Embassy in Venezuela, Benschop queried whether the embassy is functioning and where the Government of Guyana is getting intelligence from. He feels the required intelligence is not forthcoming because the Guyanese personnel in that country do not have the requisite knowledge and skills for such level of intelligence gathering. If one side is not getting intelligence, then the other should he opined.
Are Felix, Best and Collins sidelined in PNC?
Bemoaning the Opposition’s attitude, the criminologist said the “People’s National Congress (PNC) no longer has, at least visibly, intelligent people in the field of gathering intelligence, and whilst the installed PPP is worse, the Opposition is not far behind.” He said it is disturbing given that in the PNC Central Executive Committee are two former Chief of Staff of the GDF and a former Commissioner of Police.
Benschop said Guyanese would like to know if the Party is utilising the competencies of these men or are they are being sidelined. Winston Felix (former Commissioner of Police), Rare Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best (former Chief of Staff) and Brigadier (ret’d) Edward “Eddie” Collin (former Chief of staff) are members of the PNC Central Executive.
Not accepting Govt explanation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a statement acknowledging comments by citizens on social media of the presence of Venezuela’s soldiers and artillery on the said, stating an investigation will be conducted. The government belatedly advised that “that every piece of information is taken seriously and is being examined in detail [and] the Guyana Defence Force has also been reviewing these reports.”
According to the ministry the government “remains on guard and has nevertheless shared the increased military activities by Venezuela taking place on its border with CARICOM Heads and other international partners.”
Further, the Government said the Venezuela Ambassador was contacted by the military and Guyana was advised “that the mobilisation of troops [in Guyana] is geared towards curbing illegal mining operations.” Benschop is not accepting the government’s explanation. According to him “a serious matter of this nature the installed regime is content to rely on what the Venezuelans say rather than putting in place serious intelligence to find out what is taking place.”
According to the criminologist “whilst Guyanese are fearful at home, President Ali is in Canada, hugging up and kissing up anybody that comes within his range,” the talk show host concluded.
