Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Philips yesterday told Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks that their current task is to “define aggression” on the country’s frontiers in the face of Venezuela’s recent deployment of troops on its border with Guyana.
Phillips was at the time addressing a Battle Muster, at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, where almost 300 impassioned soldiers were assembled.
“War!” the zealous soldiers shouted, when Phillips asked them what they were ready for.
However, he quickly corrected them by stating that they were “ready to define aggression” on the country’s borders to maintain the sovereignty of Guyana.
He said the undertaking entails observing the military activities on the borders and reporting to the government officials who would make decisions on the next move.
He also said the monitoring of the Cuyuni River is a part of this exercise since it belongs to Guyana.
“We have a settled border. In the year 1899 that border was settled. As far as I am concerned and as far as you are concerned it is a settled border. Isn’t that so?” he said.
“Yes, sir!” were the shouts that reverberated throughout the base.
The muster was among military activities that have been organised to convey to the population the army’s readiness to defend Guyana and its ability to in mobilise on short notice.
“From time to time, we have exercises that not only mobilise and assess our troops but ensure that we maintain a high level of competence,” he said. “We are a peace-loving people. We are a peace-loving Guyana Defence Force,” he added.
A parachute display and the battle muster were conducted yesterday. The static line parachute jump was led yesterday by Captain Paul Singh at a low altitude of 1,000 ft., which simulated a jump in a hostile area. Major Miguel Benjamin flew the mixture of 14 senior jumpers and trainees, who ranged in rank from captains to majors.
Phillips said he is working with government on building the air corps over the next five years through a structural plan that is being worked on.
“Look at the task of the air corps and the threat to Guyana. Those analyses will guide our development of the air corps. Not what a neighbour is buying but [it] is what we want the air corps to do, in terms of its mission and task,” he explained.
The government has allocated $9.1 billion in this year’s budget for the army, compared to $8 billion spent last year.
‘Ready to fight’
Among the ranks assembled at the base yesterday was Lance Corporal Latoya George, who has been serving for five years.
“I think the issue is challenging but we are ready to fight. If the war comes, we are ready. We are all prepared,” George said, while urging the public to be calm.
“Don’t be afraid. We got this!” she added.
“We got this,” other female ranks echoed in support, with beaming confidence.
Lance Corporal Jeremy Fordyce, who has been enlisted for seven years, said the troops are here to defend the country and have been training.
“I would like to tell the Guyanese that we from the GDF are ready. Don’t be afraid. We have everything secured. Guyana belongs to us and we will provide security,” he added.
The military will continue the display of its strength and capabilities today with marches by the soldiers from Base Camp Ayanganna and Base Camp Stephenson moving from Plaisance and Providence, respectively, to converge along Sandy Babb Street. The Chief of Staff will give a feature address to the troops afterward at Base Camp Ayanganna. There will also be concurrent marches in Linden and Anna Regina.
There will also be a tactical vessel manoeuvre from the Coast Guard headquarters to the Demerara Harbour Bridge at 7.30 am.
The Government of Guyana has voiced its concern about the “unannounced and unexplained” build-up of military forces close to Guyana’s border and waters and has said it is closely monitoring the development. It has urged Guyanese citizens close to the border with Venezuela to be alert to this development and to remain within the boundaries of Guyana.
Venezuela has admitted to having troops at the border but its Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has said that it was part of a military exercise in preparation for any eventuality. “We are really preparing ourselves…even with all the fronts we face today,” Padrino Lopez was quoted by Reuters as saying.