‘Defending Guyana’s borders ‘non-negotiable’ – GDF chief tells officers

Feb 06, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan on Thursday delivered a firm message to senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), declaring that the defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity remains “non-negotiable,” even as regional and global security pressures intensify.

Speaking at the opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference, Brigadier Khan said the conference theme, Transforming the Force to Better Confront the Nation’s Present and Future Challenges by enhancing its Awareness, Adaptability and Agility capabilities”—accurately reflects the demanding environment in which small states like Guyana must now operate.

Over the next two days Officers will reflect and assess their performance over the last year, subsequently deliberating on how they will operate for the rest of 2026. The Commander in Chief President Irfaan Ali will also issue his directives, as Officers having a clear understanding of the environment is key for awareness and how effective the days ahead will be.

“I say this knowing the year 2025, as being a busy one, a demanding one, we were tested on many fronts, but yet I feel honoured to report, we have made considerable strides in enhancing the forces capabilities to service its legacy rule of protecting our borders and defending control. At this particular juncture of our history, an appropriate gesture of service, as the force just celebrated 60 years of existence,” Brigadier Khan reported.

He proudly told the officers that last year the Force remained resolute in maintaining Guyana’s territorial integrity, and sustained operational readiness, while continuously conducting activities to deter threats and protect Guyana’s faction.

“Punctuated within this defense posture, I need to say, was the critical role you played in supporting the Guyana Police Force, in creating the safest and most secure in Parliament since our independence and the conduct of Guyana’s national and regional elections held in September 2025, thus reinforcing public confidence in democratic institutions. Also, it was a clear demonstration of professionalism and discipline of our officers and ranks across the joint services,” he added.

Without going into too much detail the army chief explained that river trials are being conducted for the Force’s newly built boats, that is expected to arrive at the end of the month, and drone operations are being expanded to support ground troops wherever they are deployed. In addition, the acquisition of other assets is ongoing.

Though 2025 had its challenges, Brigadier Khan said that most of them were manageable. Some took unexpected resources, and a few almost causes the pause momentarily and it is known that there will be more in the coming days, however the best option is to continue the confrontation and elimination any disruption to the mission to protect and defend the people and the country.

He highlighted that since the last conference there have been changes both globally and regionally, and the changes will continue to take form this year and they are significant enough to demand more from the force in unprecedented ways.

“They necessitate our undivided and focused attention, as they have essentially added foreign implications to our own threat matrix, comprising of traditional and emerging threats. Notably this environment continues evolved and is shaped by persistent conflicts, strategic competitions and shifting geopolitical alignments, ongoing wars and regional tensions are regarding long standing norms, straining global stability (and) affecting trade equilibrium,” the Chief stated.

He went on to say that strain will be placed on traditional institutions and to some extent military partnerships and “for Guyana, these developments are not abstract or distant concerns. They translated into real and present risks for national security. Particularly respect to border security and expense. Through one particular lens, we continue to assess the recent development in Venezuela.”

Brigadier Khan charged the Officers that regardless of any opportunities such developments can potentially bring, the must continue to stand guard.

President Irfaan Ali in his address said that even as accomplishments are being celebrated, the next phase of the journey must be defined. “Where do we want our people to position? Is our Coast Guard appropriately positioned or headquartered in this modern era of defence and what is needed in the future? These are the questions we must confront now and adapt to what is necessary in a new environment,” he said.

The Head of State said that this is an indication that Guyana’s defence architecture goes beyond tradition and it must be demonstrated by keeping up with the national and international priority on what the defence system will look like in relation to the country’s ecology, biodiversity and environment. “We have to develop our in-house AI and train our in-house AI with the right data, with the right information to be the right tool for our defence system. We can’t tiptoe around this issue…Our partners must know we are reliable in the defence of democracy, the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the President added.

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• Chief of Defence Staff, defending, GDF, Guyana borders, Omar Khan, President Ali

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