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

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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.

Caribbean News

Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

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MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Caribbean News

Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

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CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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