Fearing the worst, Guyanese People moving out of Essequibo as Venezuela ignores December Accord

Rashaed Esson 

Staff Writer 

#Guyana, March 26, 2024 – Just recently, on Thursday March 21st, 2024, the Venezuelan Parliament approved a law, crafted after the December referendum, declaring Venezuela the rightful owner of Essequibo.

Reports say up to 95 percent of voters supported the law for the creation of a federal state in Essequibo, and which has been submitted to the Supreme Court for the validation of its constitutionality.

This, Guyana expressed, is serious.

“It’s a holiday here but it’s like we are preparing for war with Venezuela,” said a resident of Guyana to our newsroom.

In fact, Guyana’s foreign ministry in a statement said the was “gravely concerned over the adoption of a law by the Venezuela National Assembly declaring the Essequibo region…to be a constituent part of Venezuela.”

They add the law is a blatant violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But, Venezuela has shown little regard for what’s right or wrong as they act against the International Court of Justice’s ruling on December 1st, 2023, that they should abstain from taking any action that could affect the status quo in Essequibo, which by law, is controlled and governed by Guyana.

Now, Guyana is calling on the international community to reject Venezuela’s “illegal” moves for Essequibo and “uphold the rule of law.”

Amid all this, tensions are growing between the two countries over the region and it appears not much is being revealed by authorities.

Magnetic Media has been informed by Guyanese nationals on the ground in Essequibo on what’s been happening and concern is increasing.

Reportedly, Venezuelans are now pouring into the Essequibo region as frightened Guyanese people move out, Magnetic Media is told.

Essequibo is home to 125,000 Guyanese.

With only an army and police of 6000 in total, the Guyanese express they are not ready to fight; they don’t even have a proper patrol boat.

“They will be blown to pieces,” they say.

But, despite this, it seems as if they are preparing for the worst outcome between Venezuela and Guyana according to a Magnetic Media’s source.

“A lot of Guyanese people started to move away from their home in the Essequibo region,” said a resident who also said information from government is limited and fear is high because the people of Guyana feel out-matched by Venezuela.

“Our army and police is about 6,000 in all.  Our soldiers are not prepared to fight.  They will be blown to pieces,” he said and when quizzed about the UK and US support, which had been seen at the end of 2023, there was, “They are saying that they are here training our soldiers to fly their F15 Fighter Jets. There are Chinese and Russian troops in Venezuela.”

Two Guyanese soldiers were arrested at the border about a week ago.

A cause for great concern as Venezuela has rigidly moved to attach oil-rich Essequibo to their map.