Guam governor calls for prayers, advocates peace as global tensions rise

Amid rising global tensions, Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero issued a statement calling for prayers and advocating for policies that prioritize peace.

“What’s unfolding between Israel and Iran is not just another headline — it’s a sobering reminder that regional conflict can impact the entire world. As a people, we still bear the scars of war, and we would not wish that pain on another community. We continue to pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict and persist in the belief that the United States can lead the effort to prevent war rather than participate in it,” she said.

Leon Guerrero said that if the United States enters the conflict in the Middle East, it is likely that sons and daughters of Guam will be called upon. On June 14, Joint Region Marianas elevated the Force Protection Condition level from Alpha to Bravo as a precautionary measure. Officials said there is no specific threat to the region at this time, but added that the elevated protection level “reflects a general increase in vigilance in alignment with Department of Defense security protocols.” See story: “JRM raises FPCON to Bravo amid regional tensions.”

Guam has more than 1,300 National Guard personnel in both the Air and Army National Guard. There are about 75 from the Northern Mariana Islands. These Guard personnel have answered the call to serve in various locations, from Asia to the Middle East to the Horn of Africa and Europe.

“While the United States has not taken action in the conflict, we know it is preparing to. Our Constitution exclusively grants Congress the power to declare war, and in an age of advanced weaponry and complex global economic and diplomatic relationships, this power should be exercised thoughtfully and judiciously to ensure our nation and our people are not ensnared in decades-long conflicts at great economic and human cost,” Leon Guerrero said. “While the safety of our island, our people and our shared future are of paramount importance, and it is critical that we ensure readiness, we must continue to advocate for policies that prioritize peace.”