Call for military support in Guyana-Venezuela dispute

As tensions continue to simmer over the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, a leading regional academic is urging Guyanese authorities to consider the presence of an international military mission as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Mark Kirton, Director of the Centre for International and Border Studies and former head of the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies (UWI), has proposed that Guyana strengthen its defense posture amid the unresolved territorial claims made by its Spanish-speaking neighbor.
Speaking to local outlet News Source, Dr. Kirton reiterated that diplomacy remains Guyana’s foremost tool in defending its sovereignty. However, he cautioned that the country should not rely solely on legal channels and soft power while the case is being adjudicated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“We should have already had some kind of military mission—hemispheric in nature—as a deterrent,” Kirton argued. “Our military capacity is well known, and it is limited. But by broadening the Regional Security System (RSS) to include stronger military partners like Trinidad and Jamaica, and possibly the United States and Brazil under a UN framework, we could create a credible deterrent force.”
The ongoing dispute centers on Venezuela’s claim to the resource-rich Essequibo region, which makes up nearly two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, and a significant portion of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Atlantic Ocean. That zone includes the lucrative Stabroek Block, where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent have been discovered.
In December 2023, Venezuela held a controversial national referendum in which it claimed widespread support for annexing the Essequibo—an act Guyana and the international community widely condemned as a provocation. The issue is currently before the ICJ, which is considering the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that originally established the land boundary between the two countries. In a preliminary ruling, the Court declared that it had jurisdiction and will rule on the merits.
While Kirton expressed confidence that the Court will ultimately rule in Guyana’s favor, he voiced concerns about Venezuela’s willingness to comply with the final decision. “The key question is not just the ruling—but whether Venezuela will respect it. We must prepare for non-compliance,” he said.
To that end, Kirton recommends a multifaceted national strategy that goes beyond diplomacy. He urged the government to engage international allies, deepen partnerships with multilateral institutions, and appoint special envoys tasked with promoting Guyana’s position in key global capitals.
Domestically, Kirton called for a nationwide civic education campaign, arguing that the territorial issue must become a central part of the national consciousness. “From nursery to university, we must teach our citizens about this issue,” he said, noting that Venezuela has long embedded its claim into its educational curriculum.
“This needs to be a whole-of-country approach,” Kirton emphasized. “We must be unified in our defense, both diplomatically and militarily, and ensure that all Guyanese understand what is at stake.”