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| Caribbean-Latin America | |
| UK Sends a ‘Patrol Vessel’ (not even a frigate) to Guyana | |
| 2023-12-26 | |
The British patrol vessel, HMS Trent, will arrive in the region later this month to conduct "engagements", the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. It follows escalating tensions after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro renewed his country's century-old claim to Guyana's oil-rich Essequibo region. However, the South American neighbours agreed earlier this month not to resort to force to settle the dispute. In a brief statement, Britain's MoD 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." The vessel is in Barbados over Christmas and will then head to waters off the mainland of Guyana, according to reports. The ship is not expected to dock in Georgetown, its capital, because the port is too shallow, the BBC said. The first to report on the deployment, the broadcaster said it was intended as "a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony". A UK foreign minister, David Rutley, visited Guyana earlier this month and reiterated sovereign borders "must be respected" and that London would work internationally "to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld". Caracas has long claimed Essequibo, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana's territory, and has ratcheted up its rhetoric over it in recent months. It followed Guyana, which has governed the area for more than 100 years, issuing licenses for oil companies to operate there. Related: Guyana: 2023-12-23 Record-breaking oil production from the US has left OPEC with its lowest crude market share in nearly a decade Guyana: 2023-12-11 Venezuela and Guyana to hold talks over disputed Essequibo territory Guyana: 2023-12-08 U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) will conduct flight operations within Guyana | |
| Posted by:Griter Slash1619 |
| #7 Extensive photo set in link 1 below. https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Royal-Navy/Patrol-Vessel/P-224-HMS-Trent.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Trent_(P224) |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2023-12-26 14:06 |
| #6 Oh, no. Time to hear the boilerlate about Harry's "two tours." |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2023-12-26 09:41 |
| #5 leading to greater responses and involvement. Might give 'Harry' something to do. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2023-12-26 09:18 |
| #4 Known as the Inspiration class, the five [U.K.] Type 31 vessels all take their names from former warships and submarines whose missions and history are intended to inspire Royal Navy operations. Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Nick Hine said: "The Type 31 represents the very best of British shipbuilding, and with its modular design will be configurable to meet the needs of both the Royal Navy and our allies around the world, now and into the future." The entire Type 31 fleet is expected to be delivered by the end of 2028 and to enter service with the Royal Navy by the end of 2030, with the first expected in the water in 2023. The vessels will each carry a crew of up to 105 that will be deployed on duties around the world, working alongside new Type 26 frigates. |
| Posted by: Jerens Black9355 2023-12-26 08:39 |
| #3 The vessel is in Barbados over Christmas ...of the Caribbean fleet. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2023-12-26 07:33 |
| #2 Let's see here.... Send a small military representative contingent, to tempt a dictator into a reactive scenario. Thus increasing the odds of attack and another Falkland type situations, leading to greater responses and involvement. |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2023-12-26 07:28 |
| #1 (Carefully considers his reply) Don't underestimate the power of that flag on a ship with the letters 'HMS' in front of its name. Maduro may be an egotistical, arrogant Socialist with absolute faith in his abilities to lead Venezuela to the Millennium, but you can be damned sure he remembers the last time the Royal Navy sent a discreet, quiet warning. That was forty-two years ago, and Argentina is still twitchy about the results. Mike |
| Posted by: MikeKozlowski 2023-12-26 07:18 |