Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil has strongly condemned the presence of the British warship HMS Trent in Guyana. He has warned Guyana to remove the military vessel from its waters.
In a statement, Gil accused Guyana of violating the Argyle Declaration signed with Venezuela in St Vincent two weeks ago where the two nations promised not to use violence or force to resolve the dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was among the Caricom leaders present for the signing of the Argyle Declaration.
Last week, it was reported that the UK was sending the Royal Navy Patrol Ship to Guyana in a show of support for that Caricom country.
The HMS Trent has a crew of 65, a top speed of 24 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It is armed with a 30mm cannon and a contingent of Royal Marines and can deploy Merlin helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
In a statement on his X account (formerly Twitter) yesterday, Gil said, “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the arrival of the HMS Trent, a vessel from the British Navy to the coasts of Guyana, which becomes an act of hostile provocation and a violation of the recent Argyle Declaration, assumed as a roadmap to address the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba between Venezuela and Guyana.”
He added, “The presence of the military ship is extremely serious since it is accompanied by statements by political and military spokesmen of the person who served as the looter of Guayana Esequiba, who insists on getting involved in said controversy. These statements have also been synchronised with actions by the United States Southern Command, which clearly becomes a direct threat to peace and stability of the region.”
Gil urged the Guyanese authorities to take immediate action to remove the ship, HMS Trent, and to refrain from continuing to involve military powers in the territorial controversy. He also pointed out to the members of Caricom and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that these actions are contrary to the spirit of peace and understanding agreed on in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
In response to the Foreign Minister’s claims, Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali said, “Neither Venezuela nor any other state has anything to fear from activities within Guyana’s sovereign territory or waters.
“I have iterated before, that we harbour no ambitions or intentions to covet what does not belong to us. We are fully committed to peaceful relations with our neighbours and all countries in our region. Guyana remains fully steadfast in promoting and advancing peace whilst pursuing national development.
“Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states aimed at enhancing internal security. These partnerships pose a threat to no one and are in no way intended to be aggressive or constitute an offensive act against any State.
“I wish to renew my best wishes to the people of Venezuela, our neighbours.”
Apart from the British warship, Guyana has also courted the US military. On December 19, Dr Ali posted photos on his X account of a meeting with retired United States General, Wesley Clark. The post stated that they discussed hemispheric security and geopolitical relations within the Western hemisphere.
Guyana has also been involved in joint military exercises with the US. On December 7, the Guyana Defence Force and the US Southern Command conducted flight operations in what was described as “routine engagement” to enhance the security partnership between the two countries.
