Guyana approves Regional Security System law permitting response to attacks, threats to democracy, transnational crimes

Last Updated on Monday, 2 June 2025, 22:08 by Writer

Guyana’s National Assembly on Monday approved the Regional Security System (RSS) Bill, paving the way for Guyana to participate in and benefit from troops to respond to armed attacks or protect and restore democracy.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Attorney General Anil Nandlall reflected on the RSS’ role, with United States’ support, in the restoration of democracy in Grenada in October 1983. Against that backdrop, Mr Benn said the RSS could be called to intervene in Guyana. “Similarly, if there is a situation where there is a consideration of the RSS members altogether that there is a collapse of the situation in Guyana in respect of governance, wrongdoing by the State or an appeal by the State to help for the restoration of order, it can be activated,” he told the National Assembly during debate on the Bill.

The opposition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) unequivocally supported the legislation. However, opposition lawmaker Amanza Walton-Desir cautioned the Guyana government against portraying the RSS as an independent investigative body.

Mr Nandlall said the RSS is independent of the Guyana Police Force and can conduct investigations for the local civilian law enforcement agency.

The legislation states that RSS member States shall consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the democratic institutions, territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of them is threatened.

Member States also agree that an armed attack against one of them by a third State or from any other source is an armed attack against them all and should there be an attack determine how to assist that State by taking individual or collective action “including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the peace and security of the Member State.” They are expected to decide their action in the context of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Mr Benn said the legislation was also relevant to Guyana in light of Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo Region, more so than in keeping with that Spanish-speaking neighbour’s law that the frontier no longer exists west of the Essequibo River.

The Home Affairs Minister said, in light of Venezuela’s superior military strength, if Guyana comes under attack the RSS could be asked to assist pending the arrival of international help. “Even if the RSS comes, they’ll have to shoot and scoot with us,” he said.

The RSS legislation requires that any such armed attack and all measures taken must be reported to the United Nations Security Council. The law also says such measures will be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to secure and maintain peace in the Member State.

The law also empowers member states to “have the right to of “hot-pursuit” within each other’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”

Member States, according to the RSS Bill, agree that service personnel taking part in operations in one another or in the territorial sea or exclusive economic zone shall have all the rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities under the laws of the other State.

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips said the legislation would allow “our forces to work seamlessly” to counter narco-trafficking, piracy, human trafficking, search and rescue, fisheries protection, maritime policing, response to natural disasters, prevention of smuggling and “the protection of offshore installations and exclusive economic zone.” “Mr Speaker, all of us in this House today know the threat that we face from our western neighbour within our exclusive economic zone. This Bill remains and is paramount for the ultimate protection of our EEZ and maritime domain awareness,” he said.

“Guyana is no stranger to border controversies. Support from the RSS would add to Guyana’s capacity in preparing for and warding off these threats,” he added.