Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has asserted that a visit by the United Kingdom Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent to Guyana is part of a routine operation and not intended for aggression against Venezuela. During a press conference today, Jagdeo emphasized that Guyana’s actions, including the reception of the UK warship, align with the principles of the Argyle Declaration – a pact between Guyana and Venezuela to maintain peace as they navigate their territorial controversy.
Jagdeo said the vessel is meant to focus solely on defensive capabilities and the maintenance of Guyana’s territorial integrity. He reassured that these measures are routine and not aimed at threatening Venezuela. He added that the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali has been in touch with the Prime Minister of Gonsalves, the official who hosted peace talks between the Guyana and Venezuela Presidents, assuring him that Guyana supports the commitment to peace expressed in the Argyle Declaration.
“… nothing that we did in the past or we will do in the future is to harm or will affect Venezuela and the territory of Venezuela,” Jagdeo stated. He further clarified, “… a lot of these measures were long planned and they are routine and are part of building a defensive capability. Nothing that we do or we have done has threatened Venezuela. We don’t plan on invading Venezuela.”
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro announced the deployment of military forces in the Eastern Caribbean. This action, Maduro said on Venezuela state TV, is a defensive response to what he perceives as a provocation and threat from the United Kingdom. The deployment includes 5,682 soldiers, three ocean patrol vessels, seven missile boats, 12 Sukhoi planes, and eight amphibious vehicles, according to Bloomberg.
“Venezuela has the right to defend itself, to tranquillity, to peace,” Maduro stated. He accused Guyana of violating the Argyle Declaration.
Venezuela published a statement alleging that the UK’s actions are in synchrony with the actions of the United States Southern Command, which scheduled flight operations in Guyana’s airspace. Venezuela said these actions constitute a threat to peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves, who is currently Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said in a recent broadcast that though Venezuela is concerned, he received assurance from Guyana that the action is not threatening. “I think both sides are mature enough to continue the dialogue and the quest for peace,” he added.
