Venezuela To Deploy Defensive Action as UK military ship arrives in Guyana’s waters

Leaders of the Caribbean and Latin America, including Guyana’s President – Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Venezuela’s President Mr. Nicolas Maduro attending talks at the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the Essequibo region on December 14, 2023. Photo: Guyana News Daily

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the deployment of the joint military exercise “Gen. Domingo Antonio Sifontes 2023” to protect the country’s territorial integrity in response to the UK’s threat with the arrival of the HMS Trent off the coast of Guyana, Telesur English has reported.

According to a Telesur English report, President Maduro announced the response on Thursday, November 28.

During a year-end ceremony with officials from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), Maduro rejected the presence of the British vessel as a military threat and provocation by the United Kingdom against “the peaceful and noble, but also warrior, Venezuelan people,” according to Telesur English.

The acceptance of the British ship by the Guyanese government “is a breach of the Argyle Agreements,” which were signed on Dec. 14 and assumed as a roadmap to resolve the territorial dispute over the Essequibo between Venezuela and Guyana, the president said, according to Telesur English.

“The Venezuelan president pointed out that his administration activated all political-diplomatic mechanisms to stop the arrival of the HMS Trent. However, Guyana decided to allow its entry,” Telesur English reported.

“Venezuela will not stand idle in the face of any threat, no matter where it comes from. We do not accept provocations. Venezuela has the right to defend its integrity,” the Bolivarian leader emphasized, according to Telesur English.