Dr. Gary Best, former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, urges increased military spending to address Venezuelan aggressions. He advocates for a stronger defense posture, especially after a recent incursion by a Venezuelan vessel. The current national defense budget is alarmingly low, prompting suggestions for reallocating funds to bolster military capabilities.
Retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Dr. Gary Best, has expressed the need for increased budgetary allocations towards Guyana’s military to counter ongoing Venezuelan aggression. Following a recent incident involving a Venezuelan military vessel intruding into Guyana’s waters, Dr. Best emphasized that diplomatic efforts must be supplemented by a stronger defense posture. Currently, national defense spending constitutes less than 5% of the national budget.
Dr. Best highlighted the necessity for the Defence Force to be better equipped to fend off Venezuelan advances, suggesting a potential holding duration of 72 hours until international support materializes. He remarked, “it is important to recognise that it is incumbent that the Defence Force at this time is re-equipped and better equipped to hold Venezuela for a determined piece of time.”
During the incursion, the Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel spent over five hours near oil production sites, misleadingly asserting that the vessels were operating within Venezuelan territory. In response, Guyana has lodged an official protest with Venezuela and alerted the international community about the aggression against its sovereignty.
Dr. Best further urged the government to take Venezuela’s threats more seriously, pointing out the significant budget available yet a lower proportion allocated for defense. He suggested reallocating funds by reducing infrastructure budgets to ensure a stronger national defense, arguing “you would have more money available to put towards defence.”
The Government of Guyana has condemned the Venezuelan actions as detrimental to regional peace and security, describing them as provocative and reiterating the concern regarding Venezuela’s continued encroachment on Guyanese territory. They have affirmed their commitment to ensuring the stability of their sovereign territory and the larger Latin American and Caribbean region.
In summary, Dr. Gary Best has called for an escalation in defense funding to counteract Venezuelan provocations. He advocates for a well-equipped military readiness as a supplement to diplomatic efforts, highlighting the disproportion of current defense spending in relation to Guyana’s overall budget. The Guyana Government’s commitment to maintaining territorial integrity and seeking international support in the face of aggression has also been emphasized.
Original Source: newssourcegy.com
