Guyana Mobilizes Troops After Midnight Venezuelan Incursion; Ali and Phillips Vow Defense

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali convened Guyana’s Defence Board and senior security leadership early Saturday as the regional security environment резко shifted following U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and international uncertainty over the country’s leadership and stability.

In a statement attributed to President Ali and circulated publicly by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, Guyana said its priority was national safety and that “the Defence Board, the leadership of the GDF and our security forces are fully mobilized in accordance with our security plans.”

Stabroek News reported that the President’s meeting included the Defence Board, national security infrastructure, regional commanders and other senior officials, as Guyana monitored developments next door. The same report said Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips travelled to Region One as part of the government’s response posture.

While public concern has intensified over Guyana’s western border and the long-running Essequibo dispute, official statements reported Saturday focused on monitoring and readiness rather than confirming that Venezuelan troops had crossed into Guyana.

Opposition coalition APNU urged the government to activate contingency plans, warning the Venezuela crisis could trigger security and humanitarian pressures along the frontier.

Guyana’s statement said officials had already engaged with CARICOM’s Secretary-General and would issue further updates as more verified information becomes available.

The heightened alert comes as Venezuela’s government and senior officials condemned what they described as U.S. “military aggression,” while international reporting described a rapidly evolving situation following the U.S. action.