Caracas says more soldiers on border, exercises geared to curb illegal mining

As it remains vigilant of increased personnel and exercises on the Venezuelan side of the border and having alerted CARICOM and other nations of this development, the Government of Guyana says that Caracas has explained that the troops were geared at curbing illegal mining in that country.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has also been giving government constant updates and has reported that while it has noticed an increase in troops over in that country’s military base near the border, none of the troops have entered Guyana’s territory.

“We can only go by the GDF reports and give our report based on what the GDF is telling us is happening. Everything the Venezuelans are doing they are doing in Venezuela. We have not seen any incursion or any movement of Venezuela on Guyana’s side,” Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, last night told the Stabroek News.