Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips has assured that Guyana’s security forces are in a heightened state of readiness along all borders, closely monitoring developments in neighboring Venezuela and their potential impacts on national security.
During an appearance on the Starting Point podcast over the weekend, Phillips explained that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has long maintained deployments at the country’s borders with Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela. However, security measures were intensified in light of recent events along the western frontier.
“In terms of readiness, the Defence Force is already deployed along all our borders… and as a result of what transpired in January, we immediately went into a more heightened state of readiness,” Phillips stated. He noted that while troops were already on alert, additional efforts were made to sensitize not just the military but also the police, the Guyana Fire Service, and communities near the borders.
Following a meeting of the Defence Board, Phillips traveled to Region One (Barima-Waini) to engage with both security forces and local administration. He emphasized the pivotal role that local officials play in intelligence-gathering and regional security, especially in remote and border communities.
“We met with the regional administration because they have an important role in terms of intelligence and security of the region,” he said, adding that officials also visited several communities to directly connect with residents.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that many residents in border areas are keenly aware of developments in Venezuela, despite connectivity challenges. He noted that prior to his visit, community members were already informed about significant political events unfolding in that country.
While Phillips emphasized that no unusual activities have been identified along the Guyana-Venezuela border to date, he stressed the importance of ongoing vigilance. “To date, thankfully, we have not seen anything unusual — just what we consider routine activities of people on the frontier. But we will not fall into any false sense of security,” he warned.
He affirmed Guyana’s commitment to preventing any potential instability or disturbances from crossing the border. “At the end of the day, we have to defend our border and ensure that the people who live on our side enjoy an acceptable level of security, free from any acts of instability that may take place on the other side,” Phillips stated, reinforcing the government’s responsibility to protect its territorial integrity and ensure the safety of its citizens.
