分类： politics

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, United States President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US would assume direct administrative control of Venezuela to oversee a “safe transition” of power. This declaration came hours after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and extracted from the country during a pre-dawn military operation involving missile strikes on multiple military installations in and around the capital.

Addressing a press conference, President Trump stated that the United States would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s crucial oil industry, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s economic control. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump asserted, adding that the intervention aimed to prevent a recurrence of the political instability that has plagued Venezuela for years.

The Maduros are reportedly being transported to New York where they will face indictment on unspecified charges. This development follows months of heightened tensions between the two nations, during which the US accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and conducted more than twenty airstrikes in maritime areas near Venezuela since September—accusations that Maduro has consistently denied.

In response to the intervention, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez declared that the country “will prevail … not negotiate … not give up.” The Venezuelan government has condemned the operation as an act of “military aggression” by Washington, claiming that both civilian and military installations across multiple states were targeted.

The capture occurred despite Maduro’s indication just two days earlier that he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking, suggesting a rapid breakdown in diplomatic communications between the two nations.

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.

Guyana’s primary opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has issued an urgent advisory to the government regarding potential security and humanitarian consequences stemming from recent US military operations in Venezuela. The organization emphasized the critical need for immediate contingency planning to address a possible influx of displaced persons across the western border.

APNU proposed a comprehensive four-point strategy that includes establishing designated reception zones at secure distances from the border area. These zones would require pre-positioned essential supplies including water, food, medical resources, and shelter materials. The opposition coalition specifically highlighted the necessity of implementing robust vetting mechanisms to prevent potential infiltration threats that could compromise national interests.

While advocating for humanitarian response measures, APNU simultaneously called for strengthened security protocols and systematic registration procedures to ensure orderly management of any migration flow. The organization stressed that such measures must balance humanitarian concerns with national security requirements.

President Irfaan Ali, responding to inquiries, acknowledged ongoing border monitoring efforts but noted he had not yet reviewed APNU’s specific recommendations. The President confirmed that Prime Minister Mark Phillips was currently engaged with defense and security personnel in border regions to assess preparedness in light of regional developments.

APNU further recommended establishing a joint humanitarian task force incorporating multiple government agencies including the Civil Defence Commission, Guyana Defence Force, and relevant ministries. The opposition coalition also urged international engagement with organizations including CARICOM, UN refugee agencies, and the International Red Cross to secure potential logistical and financial support.

Emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation, APNU offered legislative support, community network mobilization, and budgetary approval assistance to address what they characterize as a national emergency requiring unified response. The organization noted that while Guyana maintains its position on territorial matters through the International Court of Justice process, the current situation demands pragmatic humanitarian planning.

Background context indicates significant prior migration from Venezuela, with official figures documenting approximately 40,000 legal Venezuelan residents in Guyana and unofficial estimates suggesting total numbers exceeding 100,000 individuals who have fled political and economic instability over the past decade.