The Defense Minister of Venezuela Vladimir Padrino Lopez, on Tuesday confirmed that there was indeed a deployment of military troops and equipment to the east of the country in bordering communities with Guyana but noted that the increased presence is part of a national operational test.

Speaking on a state television broadcast in Venezuela, Lopez said that Venezuela has been making progress in its territorial defense system and that “at this time we are conducting exercises to the east of the country, an operational deployment.”

The Defense Minister called on Venezuelans to remain calm as the military ensures its preparedness on all fronts. He said a similar exercise is also to be carried out in the western party of the country.

It was also revealed during the broadcast that all components of the Venezuelan national armed forces will be taking part in the national deployment exercises.

Guyana’s President, retired Brigadier David Granger on Tuesday morning convened a meeting of Guyana’s National Security Committee after receiving reports of the Venezuelan military in areas close to the country’s border with Guyana.

President Granger said Guyana has every reason to believe that this “abnormal” military presence is a threat to this country’s territorial integrity and as such the government is preparing to take whatever actions are appropriate to protect its border.

Guyana and Venezuela have been embroiled in recent months in a border controversy, where the Nicolas Muduro government in Venezuela has reignited a decade’s old illegal claim to Guyana’s Essequibo Region and its oil rich maritime space.

“The situation is getting worse not better, although Venezuela is embroiled in a major controversy with Colombia,” President Granger said.

President David Granger

According to the President, the move by Venezuela is “very provocative and we feel Venezuela is treading a very dangerous course at this point in time, rather than seeking a peaceful resolution to the matter Venezuela seems to be pursuing a very defensive and aggressive course”.

President Granger intends to raise the ongoing controversy with Venezuela during his address to the United Nations General Assembly next Tuesday. He is also expected to hold talks with the UN Secretary General and a number of world leaders. (Gordon Moseley)

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