Guyana activates security plan in wake of US invasion of Venezuela

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 January 2026, 12:25 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday said Guyana has activated its security plan, following the United States intense bombing of several military bases in Venezuela.

“We have activated our security plan to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Guyana,” he said. No details were provided.

The President’s response is in line with what he has been saying recently should there be a full-scale US-Venezuela conflict that spills over into Guyana.

Ali said the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan has been in contact with other security partners in the region. “I will share information as it becomes available.” “Our entire security architecture and posture has been activated all morning,” he said.

He said efforts were being made to hold an emergency summit of leaders of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Already, there is a deep fissure between Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne.

Concerning ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana where almost 1 million barrels of oil per day is being produced, the President said he has spoken with ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge. “They have been alerted and we’re working together,” he said.

The pre-dawn offensive that has destroyed numerous military bases across Venezuela came months after US President Donald Trump declared that Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro is a narco-terrorist who has been feeding poison- narcotics to Americans.

Several boats allegedly fetching narcotics to the US have been destroyed and about 100 persons killed in the process.

The US government has offered a US$50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Mr Maduro, a socialist, who has already been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for allegedly being a key leader in the suspected narco-terrorist organisation, Cartel de Los Soles.

US War College Professor, Evan Ellis last month told Demerara Waves Online News that he believes that the substantial US military firepower, including missile and anti-air defence systems, in the Caribbean will deter Venezuela from launching military strikes against Guyana.

“Any serious attack is both highly unlikely and would be met with a crushing response given that you have a substantial US force in the region. It’s difficult to imagine any Venezuelan naval capability or any air capability that would not just be quickly eliminated,” he said.

Similarly, American Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said last month that, “In the event that something untoward happens, we’re committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Guyana in defence of your country.”