Ali says regional security improving after Venezuela developments

CMC:

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali says the security climate in the Caribbean and Latin America has improved in recent weeks following major political developments in neighbouring Venezuela.

Ali made the remarks during an interview with Fox News on Saturday while attending the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida.

During the interview, the Guyanese leader addressed several geopolitical issues affecting the region, including developments in Venezuela, governance in Cuba and the ongoing fight against drug trafficking organisations.

Guyana, which shares a border with Venezuela, has been closely monitoring the situation, particularly following the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Ali noted that Guyana had previously experienced tensions linked to the Maduro administration. However, he said the situation has improved significantly since the Venezuelan leader’s capture.

“That by itself has brought a change in the mindset, a change in the condition, and we have seen greater stability, less rhetoric,” the president said.

According to Ali, the Venezuelan government has also been making efforts consistent with agreements with the United States to create a safer national environment for its citizens.

“These developments are aimed at improving economic opportunities and promoting democratic governance in Venezuela,” he said.

positive effect

The Guyanese leader added that the shift is already having a positive effect on regional stability.

“Wherever there is less rhetoric about conflict, there is greater confidence in the system, and wherever there is momentum towards democracy, there are greater prospects for the region,” Ali said.

Ali also addressed the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime across the Caribbean and Latin America.

He noted that regional governments have long raised concerns about drug cartels operating across borders and within maritime zones.

“These operations often exploit the region’s Exclusive Economic Zones and border areas,” Ali said, adding that this has exposed countries to transnational criminal networks.

“It’s an issue that has exposed the region and given the region a bad name in terms of drugs,” he said.

Ali reiterated Guyana’s support for stronger international action to dismantle drug trafficking organisations.

“We support strong action on drug cartels. We have supported the charter to deal with transnational crime, especially narco-terrorism and these cartels,” he said.

During the interview, Ali was also asked about political developments in Cuba and comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting the country could face major political changes.

The Guyanese president said leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) recently discussed the situation in Cuba with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

transformation

According to Ali, regional leaders agreed that the current status quo in Cuba cannot continue indefinitely, but any transformation must take place gradually.

“There must be dialogue, but those changes must lead to the improvement of the people of Cuba, must lead to better conditions for the people of Cuba, and must lead to a society in which the rule of law, democracy and freedom are celebrated,” he said.

Ali attended the summit accompanied by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud.