GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana parliament has given the green light to the Regional Security Systems (RSS) Bill, paving the way for the country to participate in and benefit from troops to respond to armed attacks or protect and restore democracy in the Caribbean region.
The opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), supported the legislation.
In September 2022, Guyana formally joined the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which stated that Guyana’s membership further strengthens regional integration and cooperation in the Caribbean.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Attorney General Anil Nandlall reflected on the RSS’ role, with the United States’ support, in the restoration of democracy in Grenada in October 1983.
Benn told legislators on Monday that the Barbados-based RSS could be called to intervene in Guyana.
“Similarly, if there is a situation where there is a consideration of the RSS members altogether that there is a collapse of the situation in Guyana in respect of governance, wrongdoing by the State or an appeal by the State to help for the restoration of order, it can be activated,” he added.
Nandlall stated that the RSS is independent of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and can conduct investigations on behalf of the local civilian law enforcement agency.
The legislation states that the RSS Member States shall consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the democratic institutions, territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of them is threatened.
Member States also agree that an armed attack against one of them by a third State or from any other source is an armed attack against them all, and should there be an attack, determine how to assist that State by taking individual or collective action “including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the peace and security of the Member State.”
They are expected to decide their action in the context of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Benn said the legislation was also relevant to Guyana in light of Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo Region, more so than in keeping with Caracas new law that the frontier no longer exists west of the Essequibo River.
The Home Affairs Minister said that in light of Venezuela’s superior military strength, if Guyana comes under attack, the RSS could be asked to assist pending the arrival of international help. “Even if the RSS comes, they’ll have to shoot and scoot with us,” he said.
The RSS legislation requires that any such armed attack and all measures taken must be reported to the United Nations Security Council. The law also states that such measures will be terminated when the Security Council has taken the necessary measures to secure and maintain peace in the Member State.
The law also empowers member states to “have the right to of “hot-pursuit” within each other’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”
Opposition lawmaker Amanza Walton-Desir cautioned the Guyana government against portraying the RSS as an independent investigative body.
According to the legislation, member states have agreed that service personnel taking part in operations in one another’s territory, the territorial sea, or in the exclusive economic zone shall have all the rights, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities under the laws of the other State.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the legislation would allow “our forces to work seamlessly” to counter narco-trafficking, piracy, human trafficking, search and rescue, fisheries protection, maritime policing, response to natural disasters, prevention of smuggling, and “the safety of offshore installations and exclusive economic zone.
Mr. Speaker, all of us in this House today know the threat that we face from our western neighbor within our exclusive economic zone. This Bill remains and is paramount for the ultimate protection of our EEZ and maritime domain awareness,” said Phillips, a retired Brigadier.
“Guyana is no stranger to border controversies. Support from the RSS would add to Guyana’s capacity in preparing for and warding off these threats,” he added.
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