Defence

Following is a statement by former President of Guyana, Retired Brigadier Arthur Granger on the passing of five members of the Guyana Defence Force in a helicopter crash on Wednesday. The incident occurred in bad weather about 30 miles from Arau near the Guyana border with neighbouring Venezuela. Following is the full text of Mr Granger’s statement. “I extend my ...

The death of five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers in Wednesday’s helicopter crash has sent shockwaves throughout the country. Those who perished in the crash of the Bell 412 helicopter, bearing registration marking 8R-AYA were veteran helicopter pilot of 40 years, Lt Col. Michael Charles, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason ...

Five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers died in Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Guyana’s Essequibo county about 30 miles east of the border with Venezuela, the GDF said. “The next phase of the operation involves the extraction from the area, followed by the commencement of an investigation into the incident,” GDF said. Among those who perished in the crash of the ...

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) would on Friday consider Guyana’s request for intervention into Venezuela’s violation of the International Court Justice’s (ICJ) order that prohibits that country from taking any action against Guyana’s administration and control of the Essequibo County. “Tomorrow, the United Nations Security C0uncil would be considering the request from Guyana,” he ...

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) will Thursday conduct flight operations within Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the American Embassy here announced. “This exercise builds upon routine engagement and operations to enhance security partnership between the United States and Guyana, and to strengthen regional cooperation,” the US embassy here said. The arrival of US soldiers from ...

Guyana’s parliamentary opposition coalition of A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) on Wednesday rejected Venezuela’s creation of the integral defence zone named ‘Guayana Esequiba’ and called for international condemnation of efforts to militarise the disputed region. The Parliamentary Opposition called on the local, regional and the international community “not only to reject this reckless action but also to ...

United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken has reaffirmed his country’s “unwavering support” for Guyana’s sovereignty, in a conversation with President Irfaan Ali. Mr Blinken and Dr Ali noted the International Court of Justice order issued on December 1, which called for parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute. With Venezuela’s President ...

President Irfaan Ali late Tuesday night announced that Guyana would be lodging a complaint with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against Venezuela for breaching the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order by taking several steps concerning Essequibo including ordering foreign companies to leave concessions awarded by Guyana within three months. “Guyana will tomorrow (Wednesday) bring this matter to the ...

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that foreign companies working in the disputed Guyanese county of Essequibo would have to withdraw within three months, asserting his right to do so after Venezuelan voters backed their nation’s control of the territory in a referendum Sunday, Bloomberg reported Tuesday night. Guyana has insisted that the Essequibo is within its borders, and the matter ...

The United States (US) government has scoffed at last Sunday’s referendum which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said gave an almost 100 percent approval for the border controversy to be settled outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “We would urge Venezuela and Guyana to continue to seek a peaceful resolution of their dispute. This is not something that will be ...