St. Vincent PM Meets Maduro to Address Venezuela-Guyana Tensions

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is meeting with Venezuelan President Maduro to discuss tensions between Venezuela and Guyana caused by a border dispute. Recent events include a Venezuelan naval incursion into Guyanese waters and international responses condemning Venezuela’s actions. Dr. Gonsalves advocates for diplomatic resolution to prevent potential conflict that could destabilize the region.

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has traveled to Venezuela to engage in discussions with President Nicolas Maduro regarding tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over a border dispute. This meeting is anticipated to occur at noon today, and follows a recent incursion by a Venezuelan naval vessel into Guyanese waters.

Prior to this diplomatic mission, Dr. Gonsalves communicated with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, advocating for calm and the resumption of diplomatic efforts. He warned that escalating conflict could severely impact the economies and social structures of both nations, potentially leading to a broader humanitarian crisis in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

Tensions intensified after a Venezuelan naval ship questioned oil vessels operating within Guyana’s maritime territory, falsely asserting that they were in Venezuelan waters. This prompted Guyana to initiate sea and aerial surveillance, resulting in international condemnation from several countries and organizations, including the US, UK, CARICOM, The Commonwealth, and the OAS.

Gonsalves remarked that the oil ships are rightly operating within Guyanese jurisdiction but acknowledged that tensions are likely to persist even after an anticipated ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the historical border settlement of 1899.

In a separate previous meeting held in December 2023, both President Ali and President Maduro signed the Argyle Declaration, pledging not to use threats or force against one another amidst ongoing territorial controversies. The ICJ has also issued provisional measures preventing Venezuela from altering the current status of any conflict within the Essequibo region, which is administered by Guyana. However, allegations have emerged that Venezuela has disregarded these court orders. Following these incidents, President Ali has stated he will decline to meet with President Maduro.

The diplomatic engagement between St. Vincent’s Prime Minister and Venezuela’s President seeks to address rising tensions resulting from territorial disputes with Guyana. Both parties have been urged to maintain peace, as any military escalation could lead to significant repercussions across the region. The ongoing situation emphasizes the importance of adhering to international court rulings and diplomatic accords, such as the Argyle Declaration.

Original Source: newssourcegy.com