Latest update July 24th, 2026 12:30 AM
Latest News
- MV Barima Disaster… 72 confirmed dead
- Parliament must determine COI’s composition for MV Barima probe – Dr. Campbell
- Nine victims of MV Barima tragedy laid to rest
- Transparency Int’l Guyana demands IMO probe of MV Barima tragedy
- Police detain, then apologise to, peaceful protesters at national vigil for MV Barima victims
Norton condemns U.S. military strikes on suspected drug traffickers
…says non-lethal methods should be used
(Kaieteur News) – Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and outgoing opposition leader, Aubrey Norton on Friday unequivocally condemned the United States (U.S.) military’s use of lethal methods to fight narco-terrorism.
Leader of APNU, Aubrey Norton
Speaking at his party’s weekly press conference, Norton said the U.S. has the ability to pursue alternative methods such as capturing the suspected drug traffickers instead of the lethal strikes on vessels in the southern Caribbean.
There have so far been 43 deaths as a result of ten strikes launched by the U.S. military on suspected drug-carrying boats since September. Eight of those strikes occurred in the Caribbean Sea and two in the eastern Pacific. These strikes form part of the Donald Trump administration’s plan to confront drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere, which Washington says poses a threat to America’s national security.
On Friday, Norton said the rule of law should prevail. He reminded that APNU maintains a strong anti-drug trafficking stance and supports efforts to reduce and ultimately eradicate drug trafficking. However, he underscored that this must be done within the confines of the law.
“I do not think anybody should be bombed just because they are labeled as narco- traffickers. In fact, I believe the United States has the capacity to capture them and bring them to trial. But I cannot ever support a situation where a sovereign state bombs people in another sovereign state over so-called drug trafficking. I will have difficulty, APNU will have difficulty supporting that,” the leader stated.
When asked how Guyana should navigate the current crisis in the Caribbean, given differing positions among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states on the U.S. military presence Norton said Guyana’s priority must be to safeguard its national interest.
“Our interest lies in us, ensuring that we protect our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said noting that coordination of foreign policy at the CARICOM level is an important tool and that Guyana should engage its regional counterparts to ensure a common position.
“The United States has its interest and will pursue its interest. We have our interest. We must pursue our interest. We are cognizant of the fact that we are a small nation and we do not have a lot of the tools at our disposal, and therefore diplomacy is what is needed at this stage,” Norton said.
One of the lethal strikes carried out by the U.S. military in the southern Caribbean
He also called for a more robust diplomatic approach to ensure Guyana can navigate complex global dynamics while safeguarding its territorial integrity.
Following the start of the strikes, Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said his administration’s concern lies in ensuring that Guyana’s territory is not used by criminal networks. Asked whether his government shared concerns about the legality of the strikes, Ali said Guyana remains “continuously concerned about criminals exploiting international waters or countries’ exclusive economic zones to destabilise economies.”
He later urged CARICOM leaders to approach the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean with “eyes wide open,” stressing the need for mature and open discussions on regional security. President Ali noted that while some Caribbean leaders view the U.S. buildup positively, Guyana believes the situation requires careful examination.
Meanwhile, ten former Heads of Government from across the Caribbean have issued a joint statement warning against what they described as a dangerous military buildup and the increasing presence of nuclear vessels and aircraft in regional waters.
In their statement, titled “Caribbean Space: A Zone of Peace on Land, Sea and Airspace Where the Rule of Law Prevails” the former leaders urged immediate restraint to preserve the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
“We are impelled to urge a pullback from military buildup to avoid any diminution of peace, stability, and development within our regional space,” the statement reads. “Our region must never become a pawn in the rivalries of others.”
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
