Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips has indicated that there are signs of Venezuela withdrawing some of its troops from the border with Guyana.
The Prime Minister attributes this possible de-escalation to the effectiveness of Guyana’s approach in dealing with the aggression.
PM Phillips highlighted that Venezuela’s recent threats, which he described as a “crazy misadventure,” were not defendable at the meeting of South American defense ministers.
The Prime Minister participated in the meeting in Brazil, which included foreign ministers from South America.
He drew parallels with Venezuela’s statements before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), emphasizing that Venezuela’s presentation was political rhetoric, as noted by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Recent reports suggest that Venezuela may be recognizing the imprudence of its military aggression at the border.
Responding to local concerns about Guyana’s military strength, PM Phillips emphasized that the issue is not just about strength but about the ability to define and handle aggression through diplomacy.
He highlighted the long-standing training of the Guyana Defence Force, dating back to 1965, to defend the country and address aggression diplomatically.
PM Phillips cited an example from 2015, during his tenure as Chief of Staff, when the Venezuelan military attempted to patrol the river with gunboats.
The incident was reported by GDF ranks at the border and addressed through diplomacy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect confidence in Guyana’s historical approach to handling border tensions and potential signs of a diplomatic resolution to the recent escalation.