The government of Guyana is taking action to protect its sovereignty and the integrity of the use of its flag, following reports that several vessels have been using the Guyana flag fraudulently. According to reports, five oil tankers, linked to a Syrian conglomerate with ties to Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, were found to be flying the Guyanese flag without authorization.
The owners of the vessels have been sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department.
The CARICOM member state says its Maritime Administration Department is working with international partners to stamp out the practice which has also impacted several regional states.
The Guyanese government pointed out that the registration of vessels under the Guyana flag is limited to ships owned by Guyanese nationals, residents, citizens of CARICOM, and corporate bodies established under the laws of Guyana.
In response to these incidents, the government is set to strengthen regulations and take legal steps to prevent the misuse of its flag and safeguard its maritime identity. This move is crucial to maintaining the country’s international reputation and preventing its flag from being associated with illicit activities. The situation underscores the importance of ensuring that the flag is used only by legitimate vessels and in compliance with international maritime laws.
