GTUC says national unity paramount in defending territorial integrity-a house divided against itself cannot stand

The recent incursion of a Venezuelan naval ship into Guyana’s waters on March 1, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the escalating threat to our sovereignty. As we condemn this violation of our territorial integrity, it also underscores the urgent need for a united national front to repel this aggression. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) calls on President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to rise above partisanship and engage all stakeholders, whose growing concerns are being ignored. The political division in Guyana is directly eroding public trust, particularly as many feel excluded from the nation’s political and economic decision-making.

The Guyana Constitution clearly 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.

Moreover, Guyana must brace for Venezuela’s planned election for the Governor of Essequibo on April 27, 2025, and the ongoing risks posed by Venezuelan military presence along our border, including the recent attack on our soldiers in the Cuyuni area. The secrecy surrounding these incidents, especially the failure to fully disclose details about the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of our soldiers, only fuels suspicion and concern. As noted by former GDF Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Best, Venezuela’s aggression has shifted from soft to hard power, and our response must reflect this evolving reality.

Key questions remain unanswered:

• How could Venezuelan criminals operate in the Cuyuni River without detection by Venezuela’s military?
• How were these criminals able to fire on GDF soldiers from the Venezuelan side?
• Why would they engage the GDF, knowing their inferiority in firepower?
• Who took the photos of the GDF soldiers and the deceased criminals?
• Why were these individuals so quickly labeled as “syndicatos” by the media, Police Force, and Government?

Our working men and women in uniform and the nation deserve answers!

Venezuela’s aggressive actions violate the 1899 Arbitration Award, which definitively settled the border dispute, and the 2023 Argyle Agreement, which prohibits provocative actions from either side. Venezuela’s continued defiance of international law only strengthens President Nicolás Maduro’s position, and Guyana’s internal divisions play directly into his hands.

To quote a well-known adage, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The GTUC urges the Government to recognise that national unity is paramount in defending Guyana’s territorial integrity. Maduro will not be fooled—he is fully aware of the divisions within Guyana and will exploit them if given the chance.

The GTUC therefore calls for a cohesive, sincere mobilization of the Guyanese people to counter Venezuela’s actions. Our nation’s security demands action, not cosmetic gestures. To this end, we present the following recommendations, which are essential steps to strengthen Guyana’s defense strategy and unite our people in safeguarding our sovereignty:

1. Establish a permanent body of experts, including Foreign Service Officers, international law specialists, and defense policy experts, to monitor and advise on the status of Guyana’s borders.
2. Foster collaboration between government departments and the University of Guyana to develop policies on frontier management.
3. Create reliable communication links between frontier communities and the capital.
4. Implement vocational training programs to equip residents of hinterland and frontier regions for employment.
5. Strengthen oversight of trans-border trade to ensure alignment with national interests.
6. Introduce special incentives to encourage local investments in hinterland and frontier areas.
7. Launch a sustained public information campaign to raise awareness of territorial claims against Guyana.
8. Design and execute long-term development plans to reduce dependency on neighboring states in frontier regions.
9. Create a Youth Empowerment Scheme to encourage young people to settle in and develop hinterland areas.
10. Promote professionalism and excellence in diplomacy to refine Guyana’s most effective tool in defending its territorial integrity—its diplomatic leverage.
11. Restore and preserve archival records related to Guyana’s territorial claims and integrity.
12. Officially recognize the role of mining and other economic sectors in frontier regions in defending national sovereignty.
13. Integrate studies of Guyana’s frontier regions and territorial claims into the national school curriculum.
14. Support agricultural and other economic initiatives in the hinterland to enhance local development.
15. Provide practical support for First Peoples to sustainably maintain their heritage and livelihoods.

These recommendations, though not exhaustive, are critical to Guyana’s ability to confront external threats and strengthen its internal cohesion. The GTUC remains committed to ensuring that these ideas are brought to the forefront for national discussion and action.

The time to act is now. Unity, not division, is our best defense.