GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jun 24, CMC -The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, Tuesday said that Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region “is more political theatre than a military threat”.
The Essequibo region, which is home to 125,000 of Guyana’s 800,000 citizens, is also located close to massive offshore oil deposits, with current production averaging some 650,000 barrels per day.
The ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela centers on the Essequibo region, which Venezuela claims as its own despite its long-standing administration by Guyana.
The two countries are before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.
The case, which was filed by Guyana in March 2018, seeks the court’s decision on the validity of the Arbitral Award which finally determined the land boundary between the two countries. The court has already ruled that it has jurisdiction over the controversy and will decide the issue on the merits of the case.
Speaking on the premier edition of the ‘Safeguarding our Nation’ which was broadcast on Facebook, Khan told viewers that the GDF is focused on strategy, technology and partnerships as it continues its mission to safeguard the borders of the country.
Khan told viewers that “Venezuela and their claim to the Essequibo is more political theatre than a military threat,” but that the GDF is being cautious and strategic, smart and resolute in its policies.
“History would tell us that size does not translate into success that is why we are focusing on strategy, on technology and partnerships. Military conflict is not in anyone’s interests. The claim by Venezuela is political, it should remain there and the process of the International Court of Justice should be followed,” Khan said, when asked if Guyana’s army could stand up to the larger Venezuelan forces.
“As a peaceful nation, the Guyana Defence Force operates under the construct and within the construct of the DIME concept, diplomacy, information, military and economic. Over the past five years our investment in the defence sector has seen an increase in over 800 per cent an this was spread across several areas, technology, training etc.”
He said that the GDF is soon to receive an ocean patrol vessels along with assets to monitor our airspace on our exclusive economic zone.
“So yes, we may be smaller but we are being strategic, we are being smart and we are being resolute
Brigadier Khan said that integral in this process is the partnership with allies including United States, United Kingdom, CARICOM, France, Brazil and others who value peace.
Questioned about Guyana’s position on welcoming Venezuelan migrants at a time when te two countries are at odds over the borders, Khan said that the GDF is approaching the matter from a humanitarian point of view, while ensuring there is strict vetting of those entering the country.
“While Guyana is approaching this with compassion, we are committed to safe borders in the protection of our borders and that is why we have implemented strong security measures on vetting, processing, documenting all Venezuelan migrants and this is another example where there is a multi-agency approach,” he sai, noting that while Guyana is receiving thousands of migrants, Colombia and Brazil have millions.
He said the Venezuelans are fleeing because of the political and socio-economic conditions in Venezuela.
“In the execution of my duties and my visits to the border communities, I have personally witnessed Venezuelan migrants and the embarrassment, shame, the almost loss of dignity of families, women, children, babies, fathers, seeking refuge in a foreign land,” Khan said.
“This humanitarian gesture is not uncommon for the GDF. The GDF has been involved as part of its role to conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations,” Khan added.
CMC/gt/ir/2025