Amidst the tensions that have emerged between the two nations of Guyana and Venezuela, former Commonwealth General Secretary Sir Shridath Ramphal has extended his endorsement for the meetings between President Irfaan Ali of Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro, scheduled for Thursday, December 14, 2023, in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
In a released statement, Sir Shridath stressed the need to recognize the boundaries of the discussions and the need to discourage “false expectations.”
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There are concerns about the specific topics that will be covered at the meeting, which was arranged by CARICOM and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), as Guyana has stated that decisions regarding the border dispute and how it will be resolved at the International Court of Justice will not be discussed.
Sir Shridath praised CARICOM’s involvement in the procedure as well.
He noted, “For decades, CARICOM has been the most vocal and consistent supporter of Guyana with regard to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. Never was that support more evident than when its Heads of Government held an emergency meeting in that context on 8 December 2023. They did not falter. CARICOM Heads repeated where they stood on the most critical aspects of the current situation.”
He pointed out that in a statement dated December 8, CARICOM stated that they strongly support Guyana in its efforts to resolve the border dispute through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and urged Venezuela to abide by the conservatory orders established by the ICJ in its most recent ruling until the matter is resolved definitively. Sir Shridath said that CARICOM reaffirmed its support for upholding international law and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
Sir Shridath remarked, “It is in that context, and with perfect awareness that the Guyana-Venezuela matter is under consideration by the ICJ and that the Court’s proceedings cannot be compromised, that CARICOM Heads have called for an `appropriate’ dialogue between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela: to ensure `peaceful co-existence’, `the application and respect for international law’, and `the avoidance of the use of threats of force.’”
He claimed that there was no need to talk about the Essequibo dispute.
“It is within those parameters that Guyana’s President has responded positively to the Region’s call for an `appropriate’ dialogue with Venezuela’s President. Guyana has always urged Venezuela in the direction of peaceful co-existence. All Guyanese should bolster President Ali’s efforts in this regard.
He further added, “If President Maduro responds in like manner, CARICOM’s efforts will have the reward of deference to not only regional but international norms of peace and security.”
