Gov’t supports anti-drug trafficking efforts but won’t speculate on US military action – Jagdeo

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government has long supported efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region, but would not speculate on whether the United States of America is planning any military action in neighbouring Venezuela.

Jagdeo, at a press conference on Thursday, reminded reporters that Guyana and the US share a sound bilateral relationship. And he emphasised that Guyana and the US have cooperated on efforts to fight drug trafficking.

Even though there is an apparent intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, the Vice President clarified that Guyana continues to support the US as it has before. He also clarified that Guyana has not been apprised of any planned military action in neighbouring Venezuela.

“I don’t want to embark on a speculative course on what will happen because we don’t know… they won’t tell the Government of Guyana first,” Jagdeo said, however.

However, he maintained that the US stands firmly with Guyana in the ongoing border controversy case with Venezuela.

Recently, the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, a significant action in light of the South American nation’s reliance on oil. The US has also recently conducted deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats and has significantly built up its naval presence nearby.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of drug smuggling, and since September, the US military has killed about 100 people with its strikes on boats that were allegedly carrying fentanyl and other illegal drugs to the US.