Aubrey Norton calls for a significant boost in Guyana’s military amid rising Venezuelan aggression, including incursions and unconstitutional claims on Guyanese territory. He emphasizes the need for improved military preparedness, enhanced training, and strategic diplomatic actions to address the situation and deter further Venezuelan threats.
Aubrey Norton, the Leader of the Opposition in Guyana, advocates for a substantial enhancement of the nation’s military capabilities in light of escalating aggression from Venezuela. This follows Venezuela’s construction of a bridge on Ankoko Island and their controversial referendum regarding the Essequibo Region, both of which violate provisional orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Recently, Venezuelan military activities have included incursion into Guyanese waters, along with announcing plans for elections to appoint a Governor for Essequibo. At a press conference, Mr. Norton emphasized that Guyana needs to strengthen its military, calling for increased spending on weapons and advanced training for the Guyana Defence Force. He stressed the need for preparedness against potential Venezuelan aggression.
Norton linked the recent Venezuelan Coast Guard incursion to prior attacks on Guyanese military personnel along the border. He criticized the Government for treating Venezuelan migration superficially, viewing it as merely a tool for electoral advantage, rather than addressing the broader implications of possible infiltration by Venezuelan authorities.
Additionally, Norton urged the Guyana Defence Force to enhance its monitoring capabilities of territorial waters and airspace through advanced technology. He asserted that the financial resources are available to substantially upgrade military capabilities.
Following the Venezuelan incursions, Norton met with President Irfaan Ali but felt constrained regarding disclosing the government’s response strategies. He expressed dissatisfaction that past recommendations from the Opposition have not been implemented, including diplomatic outreach in Latin America about the territorial dispute and establishing a border commission to deter Venezuelan aggression.
Norton cautioned that even a favorable ruling from the ICJ would not guarantee protection against Venezuela. Consequently, it is imperative for Guyana to actively mitigate these threats and secure international support.
In summary, Aubrey Norton highlights the urgent need for Guyana to strengthen its military capabilities in response to Venezuelan aggression. He stresses enhanced training, advanced technology for monitoring, and strategic diplomatic efforts as fundamental to safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty. Despite expressed commitment from the government, the Opposition remains concerned about the lack of action on critical recommendations aimed at addressing the territorial controversy with Venezuela.
Original Source: newssourcegy.com
