Dr. Campbell wants President Ali to have more robust response to Venezuelan attack on GDF Soldiers

In the wake of the Venezuelan attack on soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Monday, February 17, 2025, Dr. Terrence Campbell has called for urgent national unity and a stronger response to the ongoing threat posed by criminal gangs operating in the region.

In an invited comment with Village Voice News, Campbell expressed his concern over what he described as the government’s inadequate response to the attack, urging for a more robust approach to handling the situation. He emphasised the need for a true, deep unity among the nation’s leaders, beyond just moments of crisis, and highlighted the shortcomings of the current response.

“I am calling for unity at the national level. A real deep unity and not unity of convenience whenever there is a crisis,” Dr. Campbell stated. He further criticised President Irfaan Ali’s remarks that the situation was “serious” and that he was awaiting an “evaluation.” Dr. Campbell, a businessman and Member of the Natural Resource Fund Investment Committee, deemed the response “woefully inadequate” and called for stronger diplomatic action.

“The situation requires diplomacy that is backed up by fairness and force, as Kofi Annan once advocated,” he continued. The late Annan was a United Nations General Secretary.

Dr. Campbell suggested that Guyana’s Ambassador in Caracas should have long ago engaged with Venezuelan officials, particularly on the issue of the Sindicatos gang, which he believes poses a significant threat to the stability of relations between the two nations.

He also raised concerns about the Venezuelan army’s potential complicity in allowing the gang to operate freely in the area. “I often wonder if the Venezuelan army turns a blind eye to the operation of the gang in this area,” Campbell remarked.

He argued that the response to the attack should have included an immediate surge of troops to act as a deterrent, adding that the GDF soldiers involved seemed ill-equipped to deal with a threat that had been previously identified.

“What do you think is Caracas’ assessment of our ability to defend ourselves when we seem unable to handle one of their local gangs?” he questioned.

In addition, Dr. Campbell raised concerns over Guyana’s open-door refugee policy for Venezuelans, suggesting that it could unintentionally provide cover for criminal elements, including gangs like the Sindicatos.

“We must re-examine our open-door refugee policy for Venezuelans, as this could be a Trojan Horse for criminal gangs,” he warned. Furthermore, he called for the government to reconsider any agreements made with the United States. regarding the acceptance of deportees, especially in light of the recent incident.

Campbell’s remarks come at a time of heightened tension between the two countries, given Venezuela increasing sabre rattling. Guyana has taken the controversy of Venezuela’s false claim to two-thirds of its territory to the International Court of Justice.

President Irfaan Ali and Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on December 14 signed an Argyle  Agreement that should have seen the tempering of behaviors. Venezuela continues to flout the agreement in various forms reinforcing analyst contention the Government of Guyana should have never signed the Agreement and allow the ICJ to complete its adjudication on the border controversy.

The police in a statement said that approximately 15:45hrs, Monday a GDF team traveling in a thirty-foot canoe powered by a 185-horsepower Yamaha engine was ambushed by two wooden boats carrying armed, masked assailants. The attackers surrounded the GDF vessel and opened fire, prompting the soldiers to return fire. After a brief gunfight, the assailants retreated, but not before several GDF members sustained injuries.

Among the wounded were Second Lieutenant Ansel Murray, who was shot in the right side of his head; Sergeant Kevon Davis, who was struck in the right foot and ankle; Corporals Andrew Fraser and Kevin Henry, who suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen, shoulder, and arm; Lance Corporal Travis Yorrick, who was injured in the right thigh; and Private Ezron Samuel, who was shot in the right side of his abdomen. Two of the soldiers are said to be in critical condition.