The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has issued a stark warning following a Venezuelan naval ship’s incursion into Guyanese waters on March 1, 2025. In its recent press release, the GTUC condemned the violation of Guyana’s territorial integrity and stressed the urgent need for a united national front to counter the growing external threat.
The GTUC emphasised that the government must involve all stakeholders in defending the country’s sovereignty. The union body urged President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to set aside political divisions and engage the broader population in decision-making, as many citizens feel increasingly excluded from the nation’s political and economic processes.
The GTUC reminds that the Constitution of Guyana mandates citizen participation in the state’s decision-making processes. “Article 13 highlights the goal of establishing an inclusive democracy by offering increasing opportunities for citizen involvement, particularly in areas that affect their well-being.”
As such, the nation cannot afford to ignore this foundational principle in the face of external threats, the federated body warned.
“The political disunity in Guyana is eroding public trust,” the statement reads. “The growing concerns of the people are being ignored, which is detrimental not only to the internal stability of the nation but also to our ability to stand firm against external threats.”
The GTUC’s call for national unity comes at a critical time, as Venezuela plans to hold election for a Legislative Council and Governor of Essequibo on April 27, 2025. In response to this development, Guyana on Thursday, March 6, 2025 filed a Request to International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is hearing the case on the border controversy, requesting provisional measures.
GTUC, the country’s largest federated body representing a wide spectrum of workers, also raised alarm over the recent attack on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers in the Cuyuni region, as well as the ongoing Venezuelan military presence along the border.
The secrecy surrounding the deaths of GDF soldiers in a helicopter crash has also raised concerns over the transparency of the government’s communication and response to these incidents.
“There are key questions that remain unanswered: How could Venezuelan criminals operate in the Cuyuni River without detection? Why was there an engagement with the GDF knowing they were outgunned? And why were these criminals immediately labeled as ‘syndicatos’?” the GTUC statement continued, urging the government to address these concerns in full. The GTUC declares “Our working men and women in uniform and the nation deserve answers!”
The GTUC’s concerns echo those shared by former GDF Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Best, Venezuela’s aggression has shifted from soft to hard power, calling for Guyana’s response to reflect this evolving reality.
The GTUC pointed out that Venezuela’s actions, including the naval incursion and attacks on GDF soldiers in Cuyuni area, violate both the 1899 Arbitration Award and the 2023 Argyle Agreement, which protect Guyana’s territorial rights. The federated body warned that Venezuela’s continued aggression, combined with Guyana’s internal divisions, only strengthens the position of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Echoing the well-known adage, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” the GTUC is calling for national unity as the best defense against external threats. “Maduro will not be fooled—he is fully aware of the divisions within Guyana and will exploit them if given the chance,” the statement reads.
Calling for a national response that is cohesive and resolute, GTUC outlined several recommendations to strengthen Guyana’s defense strategy and promote national unity, which include:
- Establishing a permanent body of experts to monitor and advise on border security.
- Fostering collaboration between government departments and the University of Guyana for frontier management policies.
- Creating reliable communication links between frontier communities and the capital.
- Launching vocational training programs in hinterland regions to boost local employment.
- Strengthening oversight of trans-border trade to ensure it aligns with national interests.
- Implementing a public information campaign to raise awareness of territorial claims.
- Supporting sustainable development in frontier areas, including agricultural initiatives and youth empowerment schemes.
The GTUC also called for professional diplomacy and the preservation of archival records related to Guyana’s territorial claims. These recommendations, the body argued, are essential not only to national defense but also to reducing Guyana’s dependency on neighbouring states.
The GTUC contends, though its recommendations are not exhaustive, they are critical to Guyana’s ability to confront external threats and strengthen its internal cohesion. The union concluded its statement with a direct call to action: “The time to act is now. Unity, not division, is our best defense,” making know it remains committed to ensuring that these ideas are brought to the forefront for national discussion and action.
