𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬

In a move to demonstrate support for Guyana, a former British colony embroiled in a territorial dispute with neighboring Venezuela, the naval patrol ship HMS Trent will be deployed off the coast of the country, according to the Financial Times, which cited the British Defense Ministry on December 24. The ship will visit the coast of Georgetown, conduct training exercises, and participate in joint naval operations with the Guyanese navy while at anchor.

This Is Crucial: Caracas may cite the criticisms leveled at the Trent’s deployment as a reason to halt or stop negotiations with Guyana for a peaceful resolution of the conflict over the Essequibo area.  Problematically, as Guyana strives to assert its sovereignty over the waters off Essequ, the presence and training of British naval ships alongside Guyana will increase, rather than decrease, the probability of Venezuelan harassment of ships near Guyana’s coast of Essequibo. As long as the Trent or another allied naval vessel is stationed in the vicinity, though, this is likely to continue to be the case. Although the deployment might postpone the construction of a military airfield along the border with Guyana, but it is unlikely that this will deter Venezuela from moving forward with the project.

Prior to the announcement by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that his administration will establish a new state in the area formerly known as Guyana Esequiba, the people of Venezuela voted in a referendum on December 3 to integrate Essequibo. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had said that the UK will collaborate with regional allies to protect Guyana’s sovereignty, which led to the deployment of HMS Trent.

@prognoz_news