–British vessel to be deployed to support this initiative
GUYANA and the United Kingdom (UK) are set to engage in joint military activities to promote capacity building, according to a report from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Sunday.

According to the BBC, the UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the HMS Trent would be deployed to Guyana to facilitate joint exercises after Christmas. It is also being done as a show of support for Guyana, which recently faced threats from Venezuela over an ongoing controversy which is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Owing to the growing tensions, Presidents Dr. Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro had met at the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where there was a commitment to peace.
The meeting was facilitated by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and was observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

This historic meeting culminated in what is now known as the “Argyle Declaration,” an 11-point agreement which addresses matters consequential to the border controversy, including the fact that Guyana holds firmly to its position that the substantive case is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Guyana, while remaining committed to peace, also has a responsibility to protect its exclusive economic zone and sovereignty from any potential harm. So local leaders have assured stakeholders that the government’s intention is to pursue defence co-operation with allies and strengthen its military capacity for issues purely defensive in nature. This also aligns with international norms, emphasising a defensive posture.

The UK initiative is, therefore, another effort geared at enhancing Guyana’s defence capacity.
The BBC quoted the Ministry of Defence spokesperson as saying: “HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of engagements in the region during her Atlantic Patrol Task deployment.”

“HMS Trent has a crew of 65, a top speed of 24 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It is armed with 30mm cannon and a contingent of Royal Marines. It can also deploy Merlin helicopters and unmanned aircraft,” the BBC reported.
The vessel, according to the BBC report, is expected to anchor off the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, and conduct visits, joint activities and training with the country’s navy and other allies.

Further, it was reported that the vessel is mainly used for tackling piracy and smuggling, protecting fisheries, counterterrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and search and rescue operations, but the Royal Navy says it is also designed for border patrols and defence diplomacy.
According to the BBC, the decision to send HMS Trent to Guyana is part of a growing UK effort to show international diplomatic support for Guyana.