United States Senator Michael Bennet (Democrat, Colorado) has proposed new legislation aimed at enhancing security cooperation with Guyana, deterring Venezuelan aggression.
“As Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro continues to threaten Guyana, the United States must work with Guyana to deter such aggression,” Bennet said, according to a release from his office. “This bill will force the Pentagon to evaluate current cooperation and determine where improvements can be made.”
The bill calls for the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress detailing the current state of US-Guyana security cooperation. It also requires an assessment of whether additional U.S. assistance is needed to deter a potential Venezuelan attack.
Venezuela and Guyana have been embroiled in a territorial controversy over the Essequibo territory for several years, and despite a peace treaty in place, Maduro has grown increasingly aggressive. The case is currently before the International Court of Justice.
Maduro’s regime has conducted Venezuelan Air Force overflights into Guyanese territory and issued threats against oil facilities in Guyana’s maritime zone. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have increased security cooperation with Guyana and warned of consequences if Venezuela launches an attack.
The bill aims to build on these bipartisan efforts.
Check out the bill here: A BILL to require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on security cooperation with Guyana.
