APNU Calls on Government to Activate Contingency Plans Amid Venezuela Crisis

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which holds 12 seats in Guyana’s 65-seat National Assembly and sits in the 13th Parliament, has urged the Government to immediately activate contingency measures in response to recent United States military strikes on Venezuela, warning that Guyana faces a “very precarious position.”

The call comes as Venezuela experienced a major escalation on Saturday, with the United States conducting a “large-scale strike” that reportedly struck multiple sites including military installations in Caracas and surrounding regions. Explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported across the capital, and U.S. President Donald Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. Venezuela’s government declared a state of emergency and condemned the strikes as “military aggression.”

In a statement, APNU said the unfolding situation requires strategic thinking and decisive action, particularly in anticipation of possible humanitarian and security challenges along Guyana’s western border.

“At present, Guyana finds itself in a very precarious position and needs to think and act strategically,” the party said, adding that the U.S. military action against Venezuela could have serious implications for Guyana.

While reaffirming that its position on the territorial controversy remains grounded in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) process and international law, APNU cautioned that the evolving circumstances demand a broader national response. “The unfolding situation demands a pragmatic, and comprehensive national response to a probable immediate movement of displaced persons seeking refuge,” the statement said.

APNU called on the administration to immediately establish a humanitarian task force, proposing a coordinated body that would include the Civil Defence Commission, the Guyana Defence Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Services, and other relevant agencies and stakeholders.

The party also urged the Government to designate and prepare reception areas at a safe distance from the border, with pre-positioned supplies such as water, food, medicine, and shelter materials. It stressed that such preparations must include “a vetting mechanism to minimize or avoid the infiltration and subversion of our national interest.”

In addition, APNU called for enhanced border monitoring and security protocols, saying that while Guyana should maintain a humanitarian posture, there must be clear systems for screening, registration, and documentation to ensure national security.

The party further recommended proactive engagement with regional and international partners, including CARICOM, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Red Cross, to secure logistical and financial support. This, APNU said, would help ensure that Guyana is not left to shoulder a disproportionate burden in the event of an influx of Venezuelan nationals.

“This is a moment when there must be inclusive decision making with the involvement of all stakeholders in pursuance of national unity in the face of a potential emergency,” APNU stated, emphasizing that the response should “transcend partisan politics.”

APNU said it stands ready to support efforts aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, offering cooperation in developing legislative measures, mobilizing community-based support networks, and providing bipartisan backing for the allocation of resources needed to protect vulnerable people and maintain national stability.

The party urged what it described as “swift, transparent, and decisive action,” saying such steps are necessary to promote “responsible sovereignty and humanitarian foresight.”