Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan today said the military remains on high alert and will continue to stand guard in the face of recent developments in Venezuela, which he noted could pose a challenge to national security and the country’s territorial integrity.

Addressing the opening of the Guyana Defence Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference, Brigadier Khan noted that the GDF continues to monitor regional conflicts, while remaining vigilant.

He said the defence of the country’s territorial integrity remains non-negotiable.

“For Guyana, these developments are not abstract or distant concerns, they translate into real and present risks for our national security, particularly with respect to border security and defence of our territorial integrity. Through one particular lens we continue to assess the recent developments in Venezuela and I must say regardless any opportunities such developments can potentially bring, we will and must continue to stand guard,” Brigadier Khan stated.

Brigadier Khan said in 2025 the Force was resolute in maintaining Guyana’s territorial integrity, sustaining operational readiness and conducting continuous activities to deter threats and protect national patrimony.

Brigadier Khan noted that the GDF has strengthened its presence along the border regions and has revised its operational posture.

He said the Force was able to confront those and other challenges, but is prepared to deal with new challenges that may emerge from the new operating environment.

“We know there will be more moving ahead, and our best option is to continue confronting and eliminating any disruption of our mission to protect and defend our people and our territory. Of note, these achievements occurred during an increasingly complex and rapidly changing operating environment,” the Chief of Defence Staff stated.

He said the army has reached a point where it has to reflect and reassess on how it is preparing the force to cooperate effectively in the contemporary environment.

“Internally, the force continues to advance its resource optimization and internal efficiency measures while making deliberate and measured investments in capability development. At the same time, we sustain initiatives, aimed at improving quality of life of our rank and file, recognizing that morale, welfare and operational effectiveness are inseparable and fundamental to readiness,” Brigadier Khan said. 

Beyond the defence tasks, Brigadier Khan said the GDF continues to contribute meaningfully to national development by supporting infrastructural work especially in the hinterland.

Moving forward, he said training, development and continuous capacity building will remain the focus of the GDF.

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