Dear Editor,
As we commemorated our 59th Independence Anniversary on May 26, 2025, we must consider whether our founding leaders, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan, would be pleased with the current disunity in our society.
With elections set for September 1, 2025, announced by President Irfaan Ali, it is vital for all political parties to demonstrate maturity and unity, moving beyond mere rhetoric.
Venezuela has once again violated international laws by illegally appointing and declaring Neil Jesús Villamizar Sánchez as governor of the Essequibo Region.
The electoral council (CNE), controlled by government loyalists, claims that candidates from President Nicolás Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won in 23 of 24 states and secured 82.68% of the votes for the National Assembly.
Opposition parties, however, labelled the elections a “farce,” with leader María Corina Machado stating that turnout was below 15%.
This is clear that Venezuela has no respect for international laws as it has continuously demonstrated disregard and traits of tyranny.
The APNU+AFC Parliamentary Opposition is demanding more consultation in the National Assembly, particularly regarding the unresolved territorial controversy with Venezuela.
Shadow Foreign Minister Amanza Walton-Desir has highlighted that meetings on foreign relations are too infrequent.
The government’s lack of proactive measures against Venezuela, which is violating international agreements like the 1966 Geneva Agreement, is concerning. Additionally, recent elections in Venezuela, declared a “farce” by main opposition parties, saw the ruling United Socialist Party consolidating power amid boycotts.
On May 23, 2025, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and his coalition walked out of the National Assembly, protesting the government’s handling of the border issue as discriminatory.
The motion to oppose Venezuela’s referendum on annexing Essequibo reaffirms Guyana’s sovereignty but was criticised for excluding the Opposition’s input in its formulation.
Both the government, the Opposition and all political parties need to work together to ensure Guyana’s interests and territorial integrity are safeguarded.
The government must be open to admitting mistakes and fostering bipartisan cooperation to effectively address the threats posed by Venezuela.
With this being an election year, the time has come for all Guyanese to put aside their differences and move towards fostering a better Guyana.
My utterances are not based on political allegiance but I am concerned that every time an election is held trepidation emanates or takes precedence over our land.
Venezuela continues to be a threat to our territory and we cannot and must not be distracted.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Regards
Antonio Dey
