President Irfaan Ali today said he does not have comprehensive information on the US air strikes on suspected drug boats in the region.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, the President said based on the information the US has provided, the targeted vessels were drug carrying vessels.

“You are in the same position like the President of Ghana. You call it killings. I don’t know what information you have before you. I don’t know what information you have. Are you aware if the boats had drugs? I don’t know. You’re asking me to comment on something that I don’t have a comprehensive set of information about. Can you verify for me or confirm that these boats were not carrying drugs?”, he questioned, while stating that “in the spirit of cooperation, the U.S. has said that they have all the verification that these were drug-carrying vessels.”

President Ali said Guyana’s priority remains the protection of the country and its people and the country will continue to contribute to the region being a zone of peace and support the international fight against the drug trade.

“We will do everything in support of combating transnational crime and illicit drugs. We have a responsibility to the citizens of this region and the people globally to support and to work with our allies as we have been doing for decades, be it Brazil, Colombia, the US, Suriname, the entire region. We have been collaborating for decades. We’ve been supporting each other for decades in the fight against drugs and illicit activities”.

He said Guyana’s support has mostly been though joint activities that are all publicly known and more partnerships will be pursued.

The Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana has raised concern over the US operation in the region, which has been targeting suspected drug pushers from Venezuela. Since the operations began, a number of suspected drug traffickers have been killed, with most of them being Venezuelans.

There are now a number of Caribbean organisations calling for more information on the US operation.

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