In the wake of recent U.S. military actions that resulted in the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Guyana’s principal opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) has issued a compelling call for national cohesion. The party, which secured 16 parliamentary seats in the September 2025 elections, cautioned that regime change in Caracas might unpredictably escalate existing tensions rather than alleviate them.
WIN emphasized that Guyana continues to face sustained pressure and micro-aggressions stemming from Venezuela’s longstanding territorial claim over the Essequibo region. The party outlined multiple potential threats including increased cross-border movements, refugee influxes, retaliatory actions by Venezuelan operatives within Guyana, and heightened risks to citizens and critical infrastructure. These developments could particularly destabilize border and hinterland regions, creating both economic and security vulnerabilities.
Highlighting recent security incidents, WIN referenced the simultaneous bombings of a police outpost and power facility earlier in 2025, for which three Spanish-speaking suspects remain at large. Additionally, the party recalled the tragic gas station explosion in Georgetown that involved both Venezuelan and Guyanese individuals.
Rather than unilateral action, WIN urged the Irfaan Ali-led administration to engage in meaningful consultation with opposition forces through institutional mechanisms. The party specifically called for the immediate election of an Opposition Leader to activate the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector, arguing that comprehensive security policy review requires inclusive governance.
WIN advocated for regional stability through diplomatic channels, international law, and mutual respect while stressing that domestic unity remains paramount. The party concluded that ‘national security is not a party matter’ but fundamentally ‘a Guyana matter,’ requiring transparent leadership and constitutional governance during this period of regional uncertainty.
