Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday urged citizens, particularly political commentators aligned with the opposition, to desist from sharing Venezuelan propaganda which undermines national interest. During his press conference, he called on stakeholders to act responsibly and stand united against the fraudulent elections being planned by the Nicolas Maduro regime.
On May 25, Venezuela plans to hold regional elections, including in areas it claims as part of a new state that encompasses the Essequibo region.
Jagdeo issued a stern warning to those repeating narratives that support Venezuela’s claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region.
“And I want to urge these political commentators, some of them from the opposition, to stop spreading Venezuelan fake news and propaganda, some of them unconscionably over the past few days,” Jagdeo said.
He added, “I don’t know if they think this will harm the PPP, they keep spreading the Venezuelan propaganda.”
Further, he also pushed back against accusations that he offered Venezuela any form of maritime access. Jagdeo labeled those claims as “lies.” The Vice President went on to call for a united national front against Venezuela’s aggression, reminding Guyanese of the country’s long-standing bipartisan stance on safeguarding its territorial integrity.
He highlighted the People’s Progressive Party historical approach of critical support while in opposition. Jagdeo said, “The People’s Progressive Party coined a term called critical support. We will keep criticizing you on your policies because we did not support your economic policies and otherwise, but we will give full support on border related matters or where it concerns the territorial integrity of our country.”
Additionally, in relation to the solidarity motion that will be debated in the National Assembly on Friday May 23 on the Venezuela issue, Jagdeo said he expects the motion to receive unanimous support regardless of political affiliation.
The Vice President also warned that those who have been saying Essequibo belongs to Venezuela must face consequences. “You have a few of them, deranged, only a deranged person, a couple of them…but if they so love Venezuela, go and live there. You don’t need to live in our country,” he stated.
Notably, President Irfaan Ali is expected to attend a patriotic concert in the Essequibo region on Saturday, a move the Vice President encouraged all Guyanese to support. Jagdeo added, “This fraudulent regime in Venezuela must see all of Guyana speaking with one voice on this matter.”
