Guyana remains vigilant as Russian warships navigate towards the Caribbean this month, with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reassuring the public that there is no immediate security threat to the country. Despite concerns about the evolving ties between Russia and Venezuela, Jagdeo emphasized that the consensus among regional partners is that the Russian naval activity does not directly menace Guyana’s security.
The Russian fleet is scheduled to engage in naval exercises in nations allied with Moscow, including Cuba and Venezuela. President Irfaan Ali has been actively engaging with regional partners to address concerns arising from this development, particularly in light of Venezuela’s assertive actions towards Guyana, especially concerning the disputed Essequibo region.
Last month, Guyana notified relevant authorities about ongoing Venezuelan aggressions, including troop buildups along the shared border. Lawmakers in Venezuela recently approved the creation of a new state in Guyana’s Essequibo region, despite an ongoing international court case. This move aligns with President Nicolas Maduro’s rhetoric about Venezuela’s supposed right to govern the disputed territory.
Guyana is currently before the International Court of Justice on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, with final judgments from the ICJ expected to be legally binding on both countries. Despite Venezuela’s claims of not recognizing the Court, they have participated in the proceedings so far. The situation remains tense as Guyana continues to monitor the presence of Russian warships in the region and navigate the complexities of the border dispute with Venezuela.