Caribbean News
UK Warship to Guyana, Venezuela begins troop training
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#Guyana, December 29, 2023 – Guyana is receiving a warship from the United Kingdom in a show of diplomatic and military support for the country amid recent claims of Venezuela over oil and mineral rich Essequibo. Now, Venezuela is responding with military training, according to president Maduro, with over 5,000 participants.
This is according to media reports on the volatile relationship between the two countries which share part of South America. The reports expose that the warship, HMS-Trent, which is an offshore patrol vessel, was initially deployed to the Caribbean to seek out drug smugglers before being rerouted to the country which is part of the British Commonwealth group of nations.
This development follows a pre-Christmas visit to Guyana by David Rutley, the Foreign Office Minister for the
He also expressed that “The UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld.”
The warship departed its home port of Gibraltar in early December and was last reported near Bridgetown, Barbados for Christmas.
It’s scheduled to anchor off Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and carry out visits, joint activities and training with the country’s navy and other allies.
Venezuela, after hearing of the deployment of the warship, is making defensive moves, says Maduro.
He called it an action of “defensive nature in response to the provocation and threat of the UK against peace and the sovereignty of our country.”
Military leaders say 5,600 soldiers will take part in the exercises on Venezuela’s eastern Caribbean and Atlantic coasts.
The vessel carries a crew of 65 and is armed with 30mm cannon and a contingent of Royal Marines. The HMS Trent is also capable of deploying unmanned aircraft and Merlin helicopters.
Also, its top speed is 24 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.