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‘Size does not equal success’
– Army Chief says Guyana focused on strategy, partnerships
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan
Kaieteur News – Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is focused on strategy, partnerships, and investments as it continues efforts to safeguard the country’s borders in the face of Venezuela’s continued aggression.
The army chief appeared on the first episode of ‘Safeguarding the Nation’ aired on Tuesday, a new national series on security and public trust.
Brigadier Khan said while Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region is more political theatre than a military threat, the GDF remains active in its pursuit to maintain the country’s territorial integrity.
In response to a question on Guyana’s military power being smaller compared to Venezuela’s, the army chief responded, “size does not translate into success. That is why we are focusing on strategy, on technology, and on partnerships.”
He assured that the GDF is committed to a modern defence approach, supported by key international allies such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Colombia and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Further, Brigadier Khan acknowledged the challenge of monitoring Guyana’s over 3,000-kilometre border, especially the 824-kilometre stretch shared with Venezuela, where there are known issues with drug trafficking, illegal mining, and cross-border crime. He noted that GDF works in tandem with law enforcement and regulatory bodies under a joint concept of operations.
“We will find them. We will apply what is necessary and bring them to justice,” he said, referring to transnational criminal networks operating near the border.
Moreover, Khan also addressed concerns about the influx of Venezuelan migrants fleeing their country’s socio-economic crisis. While Guyana continues to receive thousands, he said this pales in comparison to millions in Colombia and Brazil.
“While Guyana is approaching this with compassion, we are committed to safe borders… That is why we have implemented strong security measures on vetting, processing, [and] documenting all Venezuelan migrants,” Brigadier Khan explained.
He added that this is done through a multi-agency approach. Additionally, he also called on young Guyanese to consider serving their country through the military, highlighting the opportunities the GDF provides for personal and national development.
“Let your story begin in uniform. Let it begin in service to Guyana,” he encouraged.
Venezuela has long laid claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s resource-rich Essequibo region. The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Despite a December 2023 agreement between President Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro committing to regional peace, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached Exxon’s Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the oil-rich Stabroek Block and radioed that the FPSO was operating in disputed territory.
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- Border, controversy, GDF, ICJ, Omar Khan
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Bring back the national service. Give the youths a chance to have a skill,and a purpose in life. Building border checkpoints and as they become trained there will be more manpower to man these strategically placed border check points, and less crime on the streets. We have the money to pay the youths for their service towards their own country.