Against the backdrop of territorial threats from Venezuela and Suriname, President David Granger yesterday unveiled a Total National Defence policy which among other things calls for an upgrade and re-organisation of the army and the re-establishment of a reserve force.
“This policy will, on implementation, give our regular and reserve forces the resources they need to perform their mission over the next five years. The long-term objective is to ensure that Guyanese will be able to depend on defence forces, which will ensure the safety of the citizens and the security of the country,” the President told Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers at the army’s headquarters Camp Ayanganna, yesterday, according to a text of his address sent to the news media. His engagement with the officers was closed to the press.
The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, highlighted that Guyanese today, live in a region characterised by uneasiness, uncertainty and unpredictability. He pointed to the actions of Venezuela and Suriname over the