Senior leaders of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) and the United States Army’s 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) have been negotiating since recently. This is because the US Army is currently conducting joint training exercises in Guyana intending to strengthen its military alliance.
Earlier this week the US army’s SFAB, a specialist force that has previously supported US allies, landed in Guyana. It is anticipated that they will work with the GDF on several cooperative training exercises to improve its operational and tactical capacity. This is especially crucial in light of the border danger that Venezuela poses to Guyana. The two sides addressed future engagements, which will include strategic planning sessions and procedures to improve both nations’ military readiness and capacities to respond to security challenges, during the discussions, according to a statement.
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The SFAB advisers reported the release as saying, “We are thankful for the opportunity to train with the Guyana Defense Force as our partners and friends. We look forward to deepening the partnership in the weeks and months to come.”
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Pompey, a staff officer in the GDF, stated that Guyana would benefit greatly from the training opportunity by having access to priceless chances to share information and skills. He conveyed hope about the beneficial effects the SFAB training would bring to the GDF.
He noted, “The last iteration of US military training here in Guyana has been of tremendous benefit to the Medical Corps and the 4 Engineers Battalion. The transfer of knowledge and expertise from our US counterparts under the auspices of the SFAB has equipped our members with invaluable skills that are directly applicable to the dynamic nature of our modern security environment.”
Pompey shared, “As we witness the positive outcomes of this training, we are confident that the benefits will be enduring, impacting not only our Force’s operational capabilities but also the professional growth of individual members. The SFAB program, with its focus on enhancing the capabilities of partner Forces, is a testament to the collaborative efforts between our nations.”
A long-standing security partnership between the United States and Guyana is exemplified by the GDF and SOUTHCOM’s close cooperation, which has historically been concentrated on disaster preparedness, human rights, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, professional development, defense and public security missions, and combating transnational crime. Only recently did Guyana host Exercise Tradewinds once more, bringing together more than 1500 members of the security forces from 20 different countries. The Tradewinds Exercise, spearheaded by SOUTHCOM, has stood for cooperation and solidarity under security threats since its founding in 1984.
A Venezuelan government official has reportedly pledged to preserve harmony with neighboring Guyana despite the current conflict over the Essequibo area, according to an article published in a media report.
Venezuelan Member of Parliament Jacobo Torres stated, “We will not go to war! We will not invade a country, especially one we share a border with!”
During a panel discussion on the continuing disagreement from a Venezuelan viewpoint at Cipriani College of Labor and Co-operative Studies, Torres emphasized Venezuela’s push to continue with constructive talks with Guyana in the contentious territorial dispute. In a public referendum scheduled for December 3, Venezuelans will cast their votes to let their government know whether they support Caracas’ proposal to rename the state Guyana Essequibo, incorporate the disputed Essequibo territory into Venezuela, and grant Venezuelan citizenship to the people living there, who are currently Guyanese nationals.
“We will not go to war!” Torres restated and added, “We will not fall into provocation, we are a people of dialogue, we are a peaceful people!”
Torres often emphasized that war is “out of the question,” the news media noted.
