St. Vincent and the Grenadines PM Engages in Diplomatic Talks with Venezuela

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has arrived in Venezuela for talks with President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the disputed Essequibo region. Gonsalves serves as an intermediary under the Argyle Agreement, urging both leaders to maintain diplomacy and prevent conflict.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has arrived in Venezuela for discussions with President Nicolas Maduro amid escalating tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region. Upon his arrival from Georgetown, where he met with President Irfaan Ali, Gonsalves emphasized the need for diplomacy and restraint between the two nations.

A government statement indicated that Dr. Gonsalves serves as an intermediary under the Argyle Agreement, signed in December 2023. His discussions with President Ali prior to this visit focused on urging both leaders to de-escalate tensions and adhere to the principles laid out in the Argyle Declaration. He warned that further conflict could have severe economic and social consequences, destabilizing both countries and the wider Latin American region.

The recent tensions flared when Guyana reported the presence of a Venezuelan naval vessel near its oil assets, which lasted for approximately four hours. Various international bodies, including CARICOM and the Organization of American States, have urged Venezuela to refrain from further provocations regarding ExxonMobil’s operations in the region.

Venezuela has rebuffed accusations made by President Ali, labeling his remarks as false and asserting their naval presence is legitimate. Both nations are involved in legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding territorial claims rooted in the Arbitral Award of 1899, with the court confirming its jurisdiction in the matter.

Guyana has requested that the ICJ prevent Venezuela from proceeding with electoral activities in the Essequibo region, declaring that such actions would infringe upon Guyana’s sovereignty. Venezuela has incorporated Essequibo into its official map based on a disputed referendum and has plans for upcoming elections in the area, including for local government positions.

In summary, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’s visit to Venezuela aims to facilitate dialogue between Presidents Maduro and Ali amidst rising tensions over the disputed Essequibo region. His discussions highlight the importance of diplomacy and the risks of escalating conflict. The ongoing case at the ICJ underscores the complexity of international territorial disputes, with both countries seeking to preserve their respective rights as tensions persist.

Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com