By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
The Center for International and Border Studies convened a special panel discussion on Wednesday evening to examine the geopolitical implications of recent U.S. military operations in the southern Caribbean, describing the developments as deeply concerning and potentially destabilizing for the region, which has long been regarded as a “Zone of Peace.”
Founder of the Center, Dr. Mark Kirton, opened the session with a sobering assessment of the current climate, noting that the Caribbean now finds itself at the crossroads of mounting tensions between the United States and Venezuela.
“The Caribbean is in an uncomfortable position today, clearly at the intersection of the increasingly volatile engagement between the U.S. and Venezuela,” Dr. Kirton stated.
According to reports, the United States has intensified what it calls a “war on drugs” in the southern Atlantic, off the Caribbean coast — targeting vessels allegedly linked to Venezuela. To date, several vessels have been destroyed, and more than 15 lives have been lost.
Dr. Kirton cautioned that these operations, carried out in or near Caribbean waters, may constitute violations of international law and could further heighten instability in the region.
“In a sense, this reflects further geopolitical rivalry among major powers — tensions that could bring potential fragmentation to the region,” he said.
He added that drug flows from Latin America and the Caribbean represent a small fraction of the global narcotics trade, yet the U.S. military response appears disproportionate.
The veteran academic further observed that the U.S.’s aggressive posture has divided CARICOM leadership, with some regional governments quietly endorsing the operations. In contrast, others express unease over concerns regarding sovereignty and maritime security.
The situation, Kirton warned, places Guyana in a precarious position, given its ongoing border controversy with Venezuela, which claims more than half of Guyana’s territory.
“Recently at the UN General Assembly, President Trump indicated that there is more to come — that drug traffickers will be blown out of existence,” Kirton recalled, underscoring the growing risk of escalation.
With the Guyana-Venezuela border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), experts at the forum cautioned that any increase in U.S.-Venezuela hostilities could jeopardize Guyana’s territorial security, particularly if Venezuela perceives Guyana as facilitating U.S. military objectives.
The panel concluded that the region’s “Zone of Peace” is now under threat. It urged CARICOM leaders to adopt a unified diplomatic position to safeguard sovereignty, stability, and non-interference in regional affairs.
