The latest tracking NACTA public opinion poll conducted over the last couple weeks found overwhelming support over how President Irfaan Ali has been handling relations with Venezuela and matters arising from the border controversy. The nation is fully behind the President and the government on all aspects of relations with Venezuela, saying the matter should be resolved peacefully at the World Court and that Venezuela (Maduro) must respect the authority of the court to decide the matter and end its intimidation of Guyana as the judges decide the case.
The survey is being conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram, employing himself and a host of interviewers, polling people in various parts of the country. Adults were polled randomly to reflect the demographics of the population for their views on various other issues and on approval (and likability) ratings of the government, leading officials, and prospective new Presidential candidates (like Azruddin Mohamed, Glenn Lall, Nigel Hughes, among others) for elective office. Dr Bisram has been conducting polls in Guyana since the late 1980s.
Based on the findings of 630 adults polled, every Guyanese is supportive (except six or less than 1% who did not give an opinion) of Guyana’s position on the border controversy, saying all of the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana. The survey, analyzed at 95% Confidence Level, has a margin of error of 4%.
The people of the border county of Essequibo, including Guyanese Venezuelan returnees and others of Guyanese ancestry, now residing in Essequibo and West Demerara, among other places, fully support Guyana on the controversy. Venezuelans in Guyana express gratitude and appreciation for the hospitality they have received by Guyanese, jobs provided by the private sector, and the generous assistance rendered by the government of Guyana to enable their stay in the country. Every Guyanese, including Venezuelans in Guyana, condemn Venezuelan (Maduro) government’s aggression, the attempted Venezuelan naval bullying of the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters, and the recently announced unprovoked plan “to hold an election for Governor in the area under its control”. Stopping Exxon (an American company) oil vessel and threatening its crew has escalated tension between Guyana and Venezuela and Venezuela and America, promoting a sternly worded response from Washington. Venezuela actions have escalated tensions with Guyana which has been seeking a peaceful solution. Guyanese unanimously support Exxon’s operations in Guyana waters.
Guyanese describe Venezuela government’s planned election and intercepting the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters as an ‘unwarranted’ provocation, defying World Court advisories. Conducting an election in another country without its approval is a violation of fundamental principles of international law. Venezuelan actions on Exxon vessel and on the election for Governor also violate the December 2023 Argyle agreement between the two countries and advisories from the World Court not to escalate border tensions. Guyanese call on the Venezuelan government to respect international law and the several advisories issued by the World Court for restraint. The border controversy, now before the World Court, is sub-judice and nations are not supposed to issue statements about it or engage in acts that could influence the ruling.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
