Guyana seeks closer defence ties with Brazil

President David Granger yesterday told visiting Brazilian Defence Minister Raul Jungmann that Guyana wants closer defence cooperation with Brasilia in light of what he said was the “present situation in the northern coast of South America.” According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger said at a meeting at the Baridi Benab, State House that Guyana wanted to review the Joint Communiqué of 2012 on defence. “We would like to review the Joint Communiqué to determine its applicability to present-day circumstances. That agreement contained seven points, which are being implemented but in light of the present situation in the northern coast of South America we would like to review that agreement… to put greater emphasis on surveillance and our involvement in the Amazon Surveillance System,” President Granger said. Granger did not elaborate on what matter on the northern coast of South America he was referring to, but it appeared to be a reference to Venezuela, where ongoing political instability has seen Venezuelans fleeing in large numbers to Brazil and Colombia. This situation has led to Brasilia and Bogota stepping up military operations on their borders with Venezuela in recent days and expressing deep concern about the situation there. Guyana has also seen an increased influx of Venezuelans seeking medical services in the North West District and CuyuniMazaruni.