President Dr Irfaan Ali has reiterated that while Guyana remains committed to keeping the Caribbean a zone of peace, the country will not turn a blind eye to the growing threats posed by transnational crime, drug trafficking and incursions linked to Venezuela.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ali stressed that Guyana’s sovereignty is “our sovereignty” and underscored that the decisions made within its borders are a matter for the Guyanese people and government alone.
At the same time, he said the government is acutely aware of the regional security environment, including illicit trafficking and organised criminal networks that threaten economies, social stability, and peace.
“Our priority as a government, as a people, is to ensure this region remains a zone of peace. But we are also conscious of the impact of transnational crime, drug trafficking and other illicit activities, and the impact they can have on our people and our economy,” Ali said.
The President disclosed that Guyana has been engaging its CARICOM partners as well as the United States to strengthen cooperation in tracking and targeting transnational criminal networks. He noted that discussions have also focused on building coalitions to address narcotics trafficking and related crimes that often spill across borders.
Ali acknowledged ongoing concerns over suspected narco-trafficking flights that pass through Guyana’s airspace, noting that alerts have already been raised with international partners. He signalled that Guyana will invest in improved air surveillance and border security to ensure its land, waters, and skies are not used by drug cartels.
“We have a duty and a responsibility to make the necessary investment to secure our borders, to secure our people, to secure this region, and to contribute to every effort that will see our region remain a zone of peace,” the President added.
Ali’s comments came just a day after U.S. President Donald J. Trump confirmed that American forces had carried out a second airstrike targeting Venezuelan nationals accused of drug trafficking.
According to Trump, the strike took place in international waters under the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, killing three alleged traffickers. No American troops were harmed.
This latest operation follows another strike just days earlier that killed 11 Venezuelans, whom U.S. authorities also described as narcotics traffickers.
The developments place Guyana and its neighbours at the crossroads of two pressing issues: maintaining the region as a bastion of peace while navigating increased U.S. military activity aimed at dismantling Venezuelan drug cartels.
Ali avoided commenting directly on the legality of U.S. airstrikes, instead maintaining that Guyana’s position is to safeguard its sovereignty while working collectively to root out criminal activity that undermines peace.
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