Guyana will not be intimidated, we will defend every square inch of our land – Pres. Ali to Venezuela 

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday sent a strong statement to Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, noting that Guyana will not engage in any dialogue under duress.

He was at the time speaking during his address at the Commissioning of the Guyana Defence Force Air Corps’ Hangar at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Venezuela has breached orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as well as the principles of the Argyle Declaration signed by the two countries in 2023.

The latest acts of aggression towards Guyana include the incursion of a Venezuelan naval vessel into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in early March and the announcement by the Spanish speaking country to hold an election in Essequibo – Guyana’s territory – on May 25, 2025.

After the incursion into Guyana’s waters, Maduro made a call for a meeting with President Ali.

President Ali said the actions of Venezuela demonstrates that country’s lack of respect for the rule of law and shows that they are not serious. He noted that while Guyana believes in diplomacy, this must be done with respect and trust.

“If Venezuela wants to talk, let it first undo the acts that are in violation of the Argyle Declaration and the orders of the ICJ,” the President said.

“We are all for dialogue but dialogue with respect, dialogue with dignity, dialogue with a sense of purpose and dialogue that we can trust.”

In this regard, the Head of State said: “Let [Venezuela] first demonstrate good faith. Let it first respect the rule of law. Until then, there will be no talks.”

The President noted that “sovereignty is not a matter for negotiation,” as he highlighted Guyana’s investment in its security sector, backed by the Commissioning of the Guyana Defence Force Air Corps’ Hangar.

He said the opening of the hangar which now ensures that GDF Air Corp operates from both of the nation’s international airports, is “a signal” that the country standard firm in securing its sovereignty and integrity.

It is “not for war, not for aggression but for protection and for national security,” he said.

The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces pointed out that while Guyana is not preparing for war, its people must feel protected.

“It is not about preparing for war, it is about guaranteeing peace, deterring aggression and creating an environment where every citizen can work and live without fear. We are not arming ourselves for aggression, we are arming ourselves for protection…we are building a defence force for resilience.”

“To Venezuela, the message is simple, respect our sovereignty; threaten our sovereignty and we will resist. Guyana will not be intimidated, Guyana will not be coerced and let me repeat for those who still doubt, we will defend every square inch of our land ,we will protect every water of our seas, we will safeguard every citizen of this land,” President Ali asserted.

In response to Venezuela’s aggression, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has filed in the Registry of the ICJ a Request for the indication of provisional measures in the case concerning Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela). Guyana is asking the court to order Venezuela to refrain from any acts within or affecting its sovereign territory, including the Essequibo region.

Guyana informed the Court that the planned Venezuelan elections would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana’s Essequibo region, affecting the Guyanese population and Guyana’s sovereignty over its territory.