St. Vincent PM Gonsalves meets with Venezuela’s Maduro amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region. He advocates for calm and diplomacy as the countries face a critical international legal dispute regarding sovereignty in the contested territory.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has arrived in Venezuela for discussions with President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the contested Essequibo region. His visit follows discussions in Georgetown with Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, focusing on diplomatic resolutions to the conflict.
According to a government statement, Gonsalves is acting as an intermediary under the Argyle Agreement, signed in December 2023. His discussions with Maduro aim to urge both leaders to maintain calm, reminding them of their commitment to diplomacy outlined in the Argyle Declaration. The Prime Minister warned that further escalation could significantly harm both nations and destabilize the wider Caribbean region, leading to potential humanitarian crises.
Tensions flared recently when Guyana raised alarms with CARICOM and the international community concerning a Venezuelan naval vessel’s presence near its oil assets. International bodies, including the U.S., France, and CARICOM, have called on Venezuela to refrain from provocations regarding ExxonMobil’s operations, while Venezuela has rejected President Ali’s claims of maritime violations.
Guyana and Venezuela are currently engaged in legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the historic Arbitral Award of 1899, which defined their border. The ICJ has warned against Venezuela’s attempted annexation of Essequibo, a territory rich in oil and home to a significant portion of Guyana’s population. Guyana filed its case with the ICJ in March 2018, and the court has affirmed its jurisdiction in the matter.
Recently, Guyana urged the ICJ to prevent Venezuela from conducting electoral activities in the contested Essequibo region before the ongoing border case is resolved. Guyana highlighted potential infringements on its sovereignty, as Venezuela aims to include the region in its upcoming elections for local governance on May 25.
Prime Minister Gonsalves’s visit to Venezuela highlights urgent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between Venezuela and Guyana concerning the Essequibo region. Both nations are facing significant challenges, including potential humanitarian issues, as they navigate territorial disputes. The involvement of the International Court of Justice adds a legal dimension to the conflict, underscoring the need for peaceful resolution to avoid conflict.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
