Guyana will not fall into a “false sense of security” despite calm conditions along its borders, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said, following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this month.
Maduro, regarded as a dictator and accused of drug trafficking, was captured by the United States military, after which Vice President Delcy Rodríguez took over as interim president.
Phillips said ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) remain deployed along all borders with Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, and that they were placed on an even higher state of readiness following the developments in Venezuela.
“As a result of what transpired on the 3rd of January, immediately we went into a more heightened state of readiness,” Phillips said during an interview on the Starting Point Podcast. “We will not fall into any false sense of security and believing that everything is back to normal.”
Guyana has long-standing concerns over its western frontier, where Venezuela claims roughly two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. The matter is currently before the International Court of Justice, with Guyana seeking a final, binding ruling on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the border. A ruling could come as early as this year. Tensions have periodically flared in recent years, with military intimidation by Venezuela near the border.
Phillips said Guyana moved quickly after learning of the situation, convening meetings with military leaders and expanding outreach beyond the military and police to include the leading administration in Region One and border communities.
“I went to Region One and met not only with the police and the army, but we met with the regional administration,” he said, noting that the latter has a key role to play in intelligence gathering and maintaining security in the region.
According to Phillips, residents in those communities were already aware of events in Venezuela due to cross-border connectivity. He said the government used its engagements with them too to stress the need for preparedness. “We impressed upon the administration that we have to remain sensitive to what is likely to happen on our frontier.”
“Thankfully, we have not seen anything unusual,” he said. “We will continue to focus on ensuring that any instability or untoward acts on the other side of the border do not spill over to our side.”
Guyana is a key ally of the United States in the region and has expressed support for the Trump administration’s efforts against drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean. U.S. authorities had also stepped up enforcement against vessels linked to the transport of sanctioned Venezuelan crude, causing tension in the region.
Phillips said Guyana’s priority remains clear. “We have to defend our border and we have to ensure that the people who live on our side enjoy an acceptable level of security, away from any acts of instability that are likely to occur on the other side,” he said.