标签： Guyana

In a significant escalation of U.S. efforts to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. This move, first reported by The New York Times, is part of a broader strategy aimed at removing Maduro from power, with the Trump administration offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.

Trump justified the decision by citing the migration of Venezuelans to the United States and the trafficking of drugs, particularly fentanyl, as primary concerns. ‘I authorized for two reasons really,’ Trump stated in the Oval Office. ‘Number one, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America…they came in through the border. They came in because we had an open border. And the other thing are drugs.’ However, Trump has not provided evidence to support his claim that Venezuela is sending former prisoners to the U.S.

The new authority granted to the CIA allows for lethal operations in Venezuela and a range of activities in the Caribbean. Trump also revealed that the U.S. is considering land strikes to combat drug cartels, stating, ‘We are looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control.’ The Pentagon recently disclosed to Congress that Trump has determined the U.S. is engaged in ‘a non-international armed conflict’ with drug cartels.

Venezuela’s government condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them a violation of international law and accusing the U.S. of pursuing a ‘regime change’ operation to seize the country’s oil resources. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced that Venezuela’s Permanent Mission to the UN would raise the issue with the Security Council and the Secretary-General.

Critics, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have expressed concerns that the administration is moving the U.S. closer to outright conflict. ‘The American people deserve to know if the Administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting service members at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation,’ Shaheen stated.

The Trump administration has conducted at least five strikes on vessels in the Caribbean since September, killing 26 people described as ‘narcoterrorists.’ However, the administration has yet to provide evidence to Congress supporting claims that the boats were carrying narcotics, raising questions about the legal basis for these actions.

In the wake of a recent U.S. military operation in Caribbean waters that resulted in the destruction of a suspected drug vessel and the deaths of six individuals off Venezuela’s coast, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to regional peace and the fight against transnational crime. Speaking on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, President Ali emphasized Guyana’s dual focus: maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace’ while actively supporting efforts to dismantle illegal drug trade networks and other destabilizing activities. ‘We support every action and embrace every partnership to cripple transnational crime, the illicit drug trade, and any form of destabilization that threatens the security of Guyana and this region,’ he declared. While not directly referencing the U.S. military deployment, President Ali underscored Guyana’s rejection of aggression and coercion, advocating instead for dialogue, international law, and collaborative efforts to address both traditional and non-traditional threats. He also highlighted Guyana’s determination to defend its sovereignty with the support of international allies, particularly in the face of territorial aggression. The President condemned recent attacks on Guyanese civilians and soldiers along the Cuyuni River, which borders Venezuela, and reiterated his government’s broader commitment to promoting peace and the rule of law across the region. Guyana’s stance aligns with the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which has called for the region to remain a ‘zone of peace.’ Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago, a fellow CARICOM member, has openly supported the U.S.-led efforts against narco-trafficking, citing a decline in violent crime as a positive outcome.

The We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) councillors in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) have issued a stern warning of legal action if additional voting rounds for the positions of chairman and vice chairman are not conducted within 48 hours. Represented by Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon, the councillors argue that the current impasse violates legal procedures. Dhurjon emphasized that the law permits up to three more voting rounds, with a final resort involving a public lottery conducted by the Clerk of Council to determine the chairman. The legal notice was directed at Clerk of Council Dwight John, who had prematurely suspended the election process after a single tied vote on October 10 and referred the matter to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand. Dhurjon criticized this move as illegal and urged the Minister to avoid involvement in any unlawful actions. The lawyer also highlighted that the Minister no longer holds unilateral authority to decide chairmanship appointments. Instead, Dhurjon insisted on adhering to the Local Democratic Organs Act, which outlines a structured process for resolving ties through multiple voting stages and, if necessary, a public lottery. The WIN councillors, including Mark Giring, Denzel Chapman, and others, are determined to ensure the election process is conducted lawfully and transparently.

Gabriel Lall, the former Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), has issued a stern warning to social media influencer Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as ‘Guyanese Critic,’ over alleged defamatory statements made on his platforms. Lall, a civil society activist, newspaper columnist, and Eucharistic Minister, has demanded a settlement from Rodrigues, who is known for his pro-People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP) stance. The legal representatives of Lall, Christopher Ram and Nigel Hughes, have categorically denied any involvement of their client in corruption, smuggling, or criminal activities. They assert that the accusations have severely tarnished Lall’s personal and professional reputation, causing public embarrassment and ridicule. In a pre-action letter dated October 7, the lawyers have given Rodrigues until October 17 to propose a settlement, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated. The demands include a public apology and retraction on Rodrigues’ social media platforms and in prominent newspapers like Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. Additionally, Lall seeks substantial compensation for the damages incurred. The lawyers have also indicated that even if a settlement is reached, criminal complaints may still be filed with the Guyana Police Force. This development follows a series of defamation cases Rodrigues has lost in recent months, resulting in significant financial penalties.