President Ali warns US-Venezuela tensions could threaten Guyana’s sovereignty

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has cautioned that escalating military tensions between Venezuela and the United States could destabilize the region and pose a direct threat to Guyana’s sovereignty.

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Speaking at a public gathering late Friday, Ali said the current climate demands steady and experienced leadership to safeguard the nation. “This is no time for weak leadership,” he told the crowd.

The president revealed that intelligence gathered through Guyana’s strategic partnerships has already detected the presence of criminal networks and enterprises linked to efforts to destabilize the region.

“Decisions aren’t easy. They require experience and international presence,” Ali said. “Our sovereignty, national security, existence, livelihood, and our country have to be prepared to work within this new environment.”

His comments come just days after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the State Department on August 14, described the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela as “a criminal organization” operating under the guise of a government. Rubio specifically cited the Cartel de los Soles, an alleged narco-trafficking network linked to Venezuelan military officials, as one of the hemisphere’s largest criminal organizations.

Rubio warned that the cartel and Maduro’s allies are not only destabilizing the region but also “threatening U.S. oil companies that are operating lawfully in Guyana.”

He said the U.S. government would confront any group posing a threat to U.S. national security in the hemisphere, including networks using international waters and airspace to traffic narcotics.

“So the President has been very firm.  Anything that’s a threat to the national security threat to the United States he’s going to confront.  And – but obviously I have nothing further to add to that at this point.  Thank you,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Ali urged Guyanese citizens to remain vigilant and united, stressing that the country must be prepared to act with “maturity, respect, and credibility” to protect its sovereignty.