Vice President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, has announced the exploration of enhanced military cooperation with the United States amidst the territorial conflict with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. In an interview with the Financial Times, Jagdeo stated, “We believe that we have the opportunity to deter Venezuela and prevent any aggressive intentions towards our country.”
Jagdeo did not specify the nature of the military cooperation to be strengthened with the United States, but he highlighted that the Guyana Defense Force, including reserves, consists of approximately four thousand soldiers and officers. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s armed forces have a strength of up to 351,000 personnel.
Jagdeo noted that one of the reasons President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela may have raised the issue of Essequibo after the lifting of certain sanctions on Venezuela.
Previously, a high-level commission responsible for defending the disputed territory of Guyana-Essequibo announced the preparation of a proposal for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in light of negotiations regarding the territorial conflict with Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Earlier, the United States called on Venezuela and Guyana to seek a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute.
