Omar Khan (military)
Omar Khan | |
|---|---|
Khan in 2023 | |
| Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force | |
| Assumed office 29 April 2023 | |
| President | Irfaan Ali |
| Preceded by | Godfrey Bess |
| Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Agency | |
| In office 2010–2016 | |
| In office 2020–2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1971 or 1972 (age 53–54)[1] Guyana |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Guyana |
| Branch/service | Guyana Defence Force |
| Years of service | 1992–present |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
Omar Khan (born 1971 or 1972) is a Guyanese military officer, currently serving as the chief (brigadier general) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) since April 2023.[1][2] He also served twice as chief of the intelligence service of Guyana.
Biography
Khan began his military career in 1992, when he was commissioned as an officer in the GDF, becoming a military instructor in both territorial and maritime units. In 2017, he briefly served as the commander of an infantry battalion.[1] Between 2010 and 2016 and again between 2020 and 2023, Khan served as the chief of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Guyana's intelligence service.[1][3]
In February 2024, amid growing tensions with Venezuela, Khan met with deputy commander of the United States Southern Command Evan Pettus, who promised that the US would assist Guyana in advancing air defence capabilities.[4]
As Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Khan has commanded the forces in the ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela, where Venezuela demands sovereignty over Guyana-controlled Essequibo. Khan ordered the reinforcement of GDF troops on the border with Venezuela after 6 GDF soldiers were shot and wounded by armed Venezuelan civilians in May 2025.[5][6] In the same month, Khan warned Venezuelans living in Guyana against participating in a referendum proposed by the Venezuelan government on the sovereignty of the Essequibo region, threatening them with arrest and deportation.[7]
Khan has also called on indigenous populations near the border with Venezuela to share information all relevant information with the GDF.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d Hernández, Carlos E (8 May 2023). "Omar Khan es nombrado jefe del Estado Mayor de la Defensa de Guyana". InfoDefensa. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Former Chief-of-Staff passes on the mantle". Kaieteur News. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Cook, Geraldine (17 July 2023). "Embracing the New GDF with 'Awareness, Adaptability, and Agility'". Diario Américas. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "U.S. to assist Guyana in advancing its air defence capabilities". Kaieteur News. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Guyana reporta ataques del lado venezolano del río Cuyuni". MercoPress. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "GDF heightens patrol operations along Cuyuni River". Government of Guyana. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Wilkinson, Bert (21 May 2025). "Guyana's army chief says Venezuelans participating in Essequibo vote risk arrest". ABC News. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Guyana: Indigenous leaders urged to share information regarding border dispute with Venezuela". Loop News. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.