Guyana has stepped up its border security after recent political unrest in neighbouring Venezuela, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said this week, underscoring the country’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, the prime minister said that while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has long maintained deployments along the borders with Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil, recent events prompted an immediate shift to an even higher state of readiness. “Immediately, we went into a more heightened state of readiness. In fact, I would argue that the troops…were already in a heightened state of readiness,” he said, referring to the situation that unfolded in Venezuela on January 3.
Phillips, a former army chief, noted that the government has intensified monitoring and coordination with regional authorities, especially along the western frontier. He travelled to Region One (Barima-Waini) where he met with members of the Defence Board, regional officials, law enforcement and residents to discuss security arrangements. “We…met with the regional administration because they have an important role in terms of intelligence,” he explained, adding that improved internet connectivity has helped local communities stay informed about developments.
While authorities have not observed any unusual activity along the Guyana–Venezuela border, Phillips stressed that current cross-border movement “is routine activity.” Still, he warned that vigilance remains critical: “We will not fall into any false sense of security… and ensure that any instability on the other side of the border does not spill over into Guyana.”
The prime minister said Guyana’s priority remains ensuring that every citizen, especially those in border regions, feels safe. In discussing wider regional responses to the situation in Venezuela, Phillips said that while CARICOM member states may voice differing positions, “each country must ultimately act in accordance with its own national interests.” He also voiced support for the balanced stance taken by President Dr. Irfaan Ali in addressing the developments.
Guyana’s strengthened posture comes amid ongoing historical tensions with Venezuela over territorial claims — particularly related to the Essequibo region — a dispute that has periodically heightened security concerns for Georgetown.
