HGP Nightly News – With the regional temperature rising and global power plays reshaping the rules in real time, PNCR leader and former Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton is warning that Guyana cannot afford political division as the Venezuela crisis unfolds, arguing that the country’s strongest defence remains unity anchored in international law.
Speaking on In Context with host Enrico Woolford, Norton said the recent developments following U.S. action involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro must be weighed carefully, particularly in a world where the weakening of legal and humanitarian norms can leave small states exposed.
He cautioned that when international law is undermined, it creates precedents that can later be used against vulnerable countries.
Norton said Guyana’s overriding national priority is the protection of its territorial integrity, pointing to Venezuela’s long-standing claim to the Essequibo region. He described Venezuela as an adversary rather than an ally, and stressed that Guyana does not possess the military capacity to confront its western neighbour directly. For that reason, he said Guyana’s strategy must depend heavily on international law and the ongoing matter before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
He also criticised the government for what he described as a failure to meaningfully engage the Opposition on the Venezuela issue, arguing that exclusion weakens the country’s foreign policy posture. Norton said Parliament should be convened to discuss the controversy and the broader regional consequences, and he urged stronger diplomatic engagement across Latin America to reinforce Guyana’s legal position.
Norton further warned against the assumption that Venezuela’s claim would fade if one leader is removed, saying the issue is entrenched within Venezuela’s political and military institutions.
Looking ahead, he said Guyana must prepare for multiple scenarios, including increased migration pressures, border security challenges, and shifting geopolitical alignments involving major powers.
His overall message was that Guyana must avoid being pulled into conflicts driven by the interests of larger states, while remaining firm and strategic in defending sovereignty through diplomacy, regional cooperation, national unity, and respect for international law.
