Guyana remains ‘vigilant’ and ‘militant’ of all threats – President Ali

Noting that surveillance is not only on Guyana’s borders but also its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday said the country remains “vigilant and militant” of all threats.

“Guyana is committed to the principle of non-aggression but we remain vigilant and militant in face of all and any threats. We must never be found blinking but ever ready to deter and resist any threat to our country.

“This is the mission of the force which you as officers are committed to lead,” President Ali said.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Annual Officers conference.

As he touched on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, he said, “The surveillance, not only of our borders but our investment is to have complete eye of everything that belongs to Guyana including our Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Guyana and Venezuela have an ongoing border controversy that is squarely before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

However, Guyana and Venezuela recently signed the Argyle Declaration, a joint pronouncement issued by both countries following a meeting of Presidents Ali and Nicolas Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Significantly, they agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

President Ali on Thursday reiterated that Guyana remains “steadfastly” committed in the principles outlined in the Argyle Declaration.

He also maintained that the controversy will only be determined at the ICJ.

“Diplomacy has always been a key element of our defence strategy.

“We are 100 percent committed to this process and it is an unwavering position of Guyana,” President Ali said.