Aubrey Norton, the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), has emphasized the importance for Guyana to focus on its national interests and avoid getting embroiled in the ongoing controversy between the United States and Venezuela. The situation has escalated amid claims that Venezuela is being led by a narcotrafficker.
During a press conference on Friday, Norton expressed his reluctance to comment on the recent US actions, including strikes on suspected narco vessels in the Southern Caribbean and the seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, stating, “I support nothing that I don’t have the evidence to determine whether it is true or not.” He noted he had not seen sufficient evidence to arrive at any conclusions regarding these events.
Norton emphasized that until concrete information is available, Guyana should focus on protecting its own interests. He remarked, “We do not want to become embroiled in something for which we don’t have the information to either substantiate or disagree.”
Guyana and Venezuela have been at odds for decades due to Caracas’ claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory—a claim firmly rejected by the Guyanese government. In light of the ongoing tensions, he advised that any support for actions against Venezuela should only be considered when factual information is presented.
“What I am still yet to get from any side is concrete information to inform the decision that we should make,” Norton asserted. He emphasized that the current focus should be on diplomatic efforts to maintain distance from Venezuela while gaining support, including from the United States, in response to Venezuela’s territorial claims.
While he reiterated the party’s support for the fight against illegal activities, Norton cautioned that all actions must be conducted within the framework of the law. He stated, “We support the fight against illegalities, but we do not support people operating outside the confines of the law.” He underscored the necessity for international relations to adhere to the principles of the rule of law, something he noted the US has historically championed.
