ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 15, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 15, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Indian Military Personnel Asked to Withdraw from Maldives by Mid-March
• U.K. Increases Military Assistance to Ukraine and Offers security Garuantees
• Guatemala’s President-Elect Inauguration Delayed by Congress

Indian Military Personnel Asked to Withdraw from Maldives by Mid-March

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has set a deadline of March 15 for Indian military troops to withdraw from the soil of the island nation. The ongoing diplomatic row between the two countries has led to the creation of a high-level negotiation group to work out the withdrawal of the Indian military. The group's first meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in Male' with Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar in attendance. The two sides discussed further steps to increase bilateral cooperation, including facilitating the continuous operations of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives.

U.K. Increases Military Assistance to Ukraine and Offers security Garuantees

On January 12, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the United Kingdom will provide GBP 2.5 billion (USD 3.2 billion) of military aid to Ukraine over the coming year. This package marks the largest annual military commitment to Ukraine since the war began. The assistance will provide Ukraine with much needed equipment and weapons, especially as the United States continues to stall on its own military assistance. Meanwhile, some critics have argued the one-year timeframe of the package signals the United Kingdom is not willing to provide long-term military support to Ukraine. Sunak also signed an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on security guarantees, which will remain in place until Ukraine joins NATO.

Guatemala’s President-Elect Inauguration Delayed by Congress

The swearing-in of Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo was delayed by several hours due to tensions caused by the Guatemalan Congress, which have been going on since Arévalo’s election victory in August last year. The debacle evoked statements from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Organization of American States calling for the election results to be honored.