Venezuela border controversy: Pres Ali salutes bravery of Guyana’s border communities, soldiers

…recognises int’l partners’ support at NTC 2025

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday commended the bravery of residents in border communities as well as the soldiers who have been deployed there to protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in the face of threats from neighbouring Venezuela.
On Monday, the National Toshao Council (NTC) 2025 Annual Conference opened at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) with hundreds of Toshaos and village leaders in attendance. Many of them come from border regions and communities close to Venezuela, which has made illegal claims to Guyana’s Essequibo territory and has even announced a sham election on May 25 for a Governor for Essequibo.

During his feature address at the opening of the conference, President Dr Irfaan Ali took time to salute the men and women in uniform who are serving in these border regions with Venezuela. President Ali also singled out indigenous communities for their “bravery and patriotism”, saluting the important role that residents play in these communities.
“On behalf of all of you, I want to thank our men and women in uniform who are at our borders, defending all of our sovereignty and territory integrity. I want you to give them a resounding round of applause so they can know that we are with them in love and spirit,” the President said.
“But importantly too, I want to thank all of you, especially those who live on the border communities, for your vigilance, for your strong protection, for your patriotism, for your strength of character, for you who stand up every day on the border, raising our Golden Arrowhead high and strong,” Ali added.
International partners
Additionally, he acknowledged the support Guyana has received from its international partners, including the ABCE group—comprising the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and the European Union (EU). Representatives from other nations, such as India, have also recently voiced their support.

“And on this note, I want to thank also those of our international partners who stand strong with us, who are vocal in their support for us, who are vocal in their support for the rule of law and international order, who are vocal in their support for peace. You hold a special place in the heart of Guyana, and every Guyanese,” the Head of State also said.
At the opening ceremony, NTC Chairman Derek John also spoke on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy. While he acknowledged the work being done by the Government to keep the border communities safe, he also made a call for the international community to continue showing their support for Guyana against Venezuela’s threats.
“I also want to call on the international community. We have seen the reckless threat from our near western neighbour, Venezuela. And I’m calling out here that we need the international community to stand by our side and so that we can allow the legal process to take its course,” John said.
“Guyana is a sovereign nation, and I know that these threats, it’s driving fear in a lot of the communities, especially those that are on the border region, Mr President. And I know that you are very updated and I know that you have a plan. We have confidence in your Government that you will continue to protect every single Guyanese. And we want to thank you. And we trust your Government Mr President.”
Back in December 2023, Presidents Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela signed the Argyle Declaration in Argyle, St Vincent and the Grenadines. This agreement was facilitated by regional leaders, including Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, with support from CARICOM, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Brazil, and the United Nations (UN).
Key provisions of the Argyle Declaration include a commitment to non-aggression, the peaceful resolution framework and the establishment of a joint commission comprising Foreign Ministers and technical experts from both countries was to be formed to address mutually agreed matters.
Despite the provisions, Venezuela continues to use aggressive tactics against Guyana, including plans to unlawfully elect a Governor and legislative council of “Guayana Esequiba State”, which is the name the Spanish-speaking nation has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region.
In January 2025, the Nicolás Maduro regime had announced plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, on May 25, 2025 – something which Guyana wrote the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in March to have blocked.
The World Court, which is hearing the case to settle the decades-long border controversy between the two South American neighbours, subsequently issued an order that Venezuela must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region.
It also reaffirmed the provisional measures issued by the Court on December 1, 2023, which states that “…Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and (2) Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”