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Belizean students in Guyana uneasy with massacres there
By Trevor Vernon
There have been two in a series of massacres in Guyana within a matter of three weeks this year. The first instance took place on January 26 in the village of Lusignan, where eleven people were gunned down by a number of men dressed in military fatigues. The second took place on February 17 in the village of Bartica, where the gunmen killed twelve people, and this time, three policemen were counted amongst the dead.
Guyana, well known for its internal racial strife, of the kind we are not too familiar with in Belize, is the home to a number of Belizean students attending school at the University of Guyana, mostly to study law. Reports to Amandala by a couple of the students who don’t wish to be identified are that “things are really frightening everywhere in Guyana and people are generally very scared.”
Javier Chan, Sr., wasn’t so shy. A law student and VP of the student body, Chan had this to say when asked about the number of Belizeans in Georgetown:
“There are nine Belizean students at the University [of Guyana]. However, there are other Belizeans working here, some at CARICOM headquarters and otherwise, a total of 16 Belizeans that I am aware of.
Amandala: Was there any indication that race was a factor?
It is believed that a racial issue is a concern in the first 11 deaths in the Lusignan massacre, since all were [East] Indians. However, there is now some uncertainty, since the shooting victims of last night were mixed [racially].
The gunmen just attacked the police station, and then began shooting indiscriminately. Five persons who had hung up hammocks on the wharf awaiting transportation were shot up. Last night’s shooting was in a [remote] area in the interior called Bartica. Transportation is by water, with no road access. So, the response time of the security forces were affected by the remoteness of the location.
Amandala: What’s the mood on campus?
Everyone seems frightened on campus, and around Georgetown on a whole, they were just recovering from the Lusignan massacre. The local newspaper (Stabroek News) stated, “The attack forced the government this morning to postpone the reading of the national budget...”
Amandala: Have you taken steps to ensure your safety?
As VP of the Belizean student association and VP of the Law Society, I have informed all Belizean students to be careful in moving around Georgetown, and to keep in constant communication with each other to ensure one of us, at all times, knows the whereabouts of each other. We are taking it very serious, because if these gunmen follow the norm of the shootings in the USA, the university could well be the next target.
Amandala: Thanks Javier, stay safe.
Guyana police believe that the man they are looking for is none other than Guyana’s most wanted, Rondell Rawlins, an alleged gang leader. He is largely believed to be responsible not only for the two massacres, but also for the killing of a government minister in 2006. Rawlins is said to be especially dangerous, believing that Guyana police were responsible for the kidnapping of his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend earlier.
Guyanese authorities have offered a $150,000 reward for the capture of Mr. Rawlins.
Belizean students in Guyana uneasy with massacres there
By Trevor Vernon
There have been two in a series of massacres in Guyana within a matter of three weeks this year. The first instance took place on January 26 in the village of Lusignan, where eleven people were gunned down by a number of men dressed in military fatigues. The second took place on February 17 in the village of Bartica, where the gunmen killed twelve people, and this time, three policemen were counted amongst the dead.
Guyana, well known for its internal racial strife, of the kind we are not too familiar with in Belize, is the home to a number of Belizean students attending school at the University of Guyana, mostly to study law. Reports to Amandala by a couple of the students who don’t wish to be identified are that “things are really frightening everywhere in Guyana and people are generally very scared.”
Javier Chan, Sr., wasn’t so shy. A law student and VP of the student body, Chan had this to say when asked about the number of Belizeans in Georgetown:
“There are nine Belizean students at the University [of Guyana]. However, there are other Belizeans working here, some at CARICOM headquarters and otherwise, a total of 16 Belizeans that I am aware of.
Amandala: Was there any indication that race was a factor?
It is believed that a racial issue is a concern in the first 11 deaths in the Lusignan massacre, since all were [East] Indians. However, there is now some uncertainty, since the shooting victims of last night were mixed [racially].
The gunmen just attacked the police station, and then began shooting indiscriminately. Five persons who had hung up hammocks on the wharf awaiting transportation were shot up. Last night’s shooting was in a [remote] area in the interior called Bartica. Transportation is by water, with no road access. So, the response time of the security forces were affected by the remoteness of the location.
Amandala: What’s the mood on campus?
Everyone seems frightened on campus, and around Georgetown on a whole, they were just recovering from the Lusignan massacre. The local newspaper (Stabroek News) stated, “The attack forced the government this morning to postpone the reading of the national budget...”
Amandala: Have you taken steps to ensure your safety?
As VP of the Belizean student association and VP of the Law Society, I have informed all Belizean students to be careful in moving around Georgetown, and to keep in constant communication with each other to ensure one of us, at all times, knows the whereabouts of each other. We are taking it very serious, because if these gunmen follow the norm of the shootings in the USA, the university could well be the next target.
Amandala: Thanks Javier, stay safe.
Guyana police believe that the man they are looking for is none other than Guyana’s most wanted, Rondell Rawlins, an alleged gang leader. He is largely believed to be responsible not only for the two massacres, but also for the killing of a government minister in 2006. Rawlins is said to be especially dangerous, believing that Guyana police were responsible for the kidnapping of his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend earlier.
Guyanese authorities have offered a $150,000 reward for the capture of Mr. Rawlins.