Leader of the People’s National Conference Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton today condemned the United States Government over the killing of suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela.

At a press conference, Mr. Norton said while the PNCR, and by extension A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is completely against drug trafficking, the parties could never support the bombing of suspected drug traffickers.

He said the narco-trade must be fought within the confines of the law at all levels.

“The rule of law should prevail both at the local level and the international level. The second thing I would say, I do not think anybody should be bombed just because they are labeled as narco traffickers. In fact, I believe that the United States has the capacity to capture them, and bring them to trial. But I cannot ever support a situation where a sovereign state bombs people in another state over so-called drug trafficking,” Norton told reporters.

His comments came as even as the US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US had carried out another air strike against a ship allegedly linked to Tren de Aragua – a criminal organization in Venezuela accused of drug trafficking among other crimes. This is the 10^th such strike to be carried out by the Donald Trump Administration with the majority taking place in the Caribbean, and at least two strikes in the Pacific Ocean, targeting suspected drug boats with more than 30 casualties reported to date.  

Norton said the PNCR would have difficulty supporting the actions of the US Government.

“We are anti-drug trafficking. We want to see drug trafficking reduced and ultimately gotten rid of but it has to be done within the confines of the law,” Norton said.

President Irfaan Ali has repeatedly reaffirmed his Government’s support of the US Government’s efforts to rid the region of transnational narco traffickers.

He said Guyana is not oblivious to the reality that the Region faces both traditional and non-traditional threats, adding that the country unwavering in its support to combat transnational crimes, including drug trafficking.

The US military has increased its presence in the Caribbean Region, and the strikes have led to rising tension between the US and Venezuela with a number of regional leaders within the Latin America and Caribbean Region expressing concerns about the threat the conflict poses to the Region’s safety.

Last week, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace, while emphasizing the importance of dialogue and engagement towards peaceful resolution and disputes and conflict.

The Nicolas Maduro Administration has accused Trump of launching the strikes to force a regime change in Venezuela, and has since warned both Guyana and Trinidad that Caracas will retaliate if any attack against the Spanish speaking country is launched from either country.

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