HMS Trent to deploy to Guyana for “exercises” as tensions with Venezuela rise

HMS Trent, a Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel,  is to take part in joint exercises with Guyana after Christmas.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of engagements in the region during her Atlantic patrol task deployment.”

This comes as Guyana – a British colony until 1966, and currently a Commonwealth nation – is facing potentially hostile threats from neighbouring Venezuela.

Venezuela is claiming the border region of Essequibo as its own, following a “referendum” on December 3rd.

Venezuela is citing historic boundaries, however the recent discovery of oil in Guyana may be more of a motive for the land grab.

Guyana is also rich in gold, diamonds and bauxite.

Presidents Putin and Maduro in the Kremlin.

Although Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, a former bus driver, has promised that Venezuela will not use military force, this week the Lloyd’s insurance market in London added Guyana to its list of riskiest shipping zones.

Maduro’s tenure has been characterised by popular attempts to unseat him, corruption, civil disturbance, and soaring inflation.

On December 21st Vladimir Putin of Russia and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela held a telephone conversation during which they agreed on the need for “a fair multipolar order,” it was reported. They also discussed the territorial “dispute” with Guyana.

“Maduro and Putin reviewed the excellent state of the bilateral relationship, as well as the deep brotherhood that characterizes the strategic partnership between the two countries,” a Venezuelan government statement read.

Both leaders also agreed on the importance “of building a multicentric, inclusive, fair and democratic world order, respectful of the universally recognized norms of international law.”

They also “discussed current issues of Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in the areas of energy, trade, and investment, as well as in the cultural and humanitarian spheres,” according to Moscow.

Putin stated that “Russia will continue to support the efforts of the Venezuelan leadership to strengthen the national economy and sovereignty.”

Read also: Guyana: UK Minister David Rutley to affirm support in face of threats from Venezuela

Main Image: By Shaun Roster – https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/december/19/191219-hms-trent-first-entry-portsmouth, OGL v1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88969235