The US condemns Venezuela’s scary tactics against Guyana

… As OAS SG demands that Venezuela respect Guyana’s territory

The United States (US) on Wednesday threw its support behind Guyana, with a senior State Department official condemning Venezuela’s recent acts of aggression and demanding that the Spanish-speaking country release the Guyanese ships and deploy them. recent illegal detention.
According to a statement released on her social media post, the acting Assistant Secretary of the US Western Hemisphere Affairs Office, Julie Chung, condemned the actions of the Nicholas Maduro regime’s threat against Guyana. He also expressed support for the American Institute of States (OAS) own statement on the issue.
“The United States supports a peaceful resolution of the maritime border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, and condemns Maduro’s threat by seizing fishing vessels and detaining crew. We echo the call of the OAS Secretariat for their immediate release, ”Chung said in her statement.

During an OAS Permanent Council meeting on Wednesday, Venezuela was integral to the debate, as several countries on the council, including the United States, Canada, Belize, Trinidad and Brazil, condemned Venezuela’s recent actions.
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro took the opportunity to insist that Venezuela respect Guyana’s sovereignty. Venezuela was also urged to settle its long-standing debate on the border with Guyana at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the appropriate forum.
In his remarks at the meeting, Almagro reminded Venezuela of his need to abide by international norms and settle his complaint with his border at the ICJ. Although Almagro acknowledged that Venezuela has so far refused to participate in the court process, he noted the importance of a peaceful settlement in the ICJ, for the sake of regional peace.
“It’s an issue that’s been around for more than a century. We trust that international justice will oversee this, despite the fact that we are looking at some powers in Venezuela. Any unilateral move in terms of the EEZ is not the way to solve it, ‘Almagro said.

“And in the final analysis, respecting territorial integrity is going to respect international dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said, as he went on to encourage both sides to resolve the ICJ dispute.

OAS insists
On Wednesday, Almagro condemned Venezuela’s recent actions in a statement in which the OAS demanded that the Spanish-speaking country release Guyanese fishermen and their ships.
“The American Secretariat of the United States (OAS) General Secretariat condemns the illegal detention of one Guyanese-registered fishing vessel and their crews, which were located within the Cooperative Republic’s Extraordinary Economic Zone (EEZ),” Almagro He said.
“The General Secretariat requires the prompt and safe release of Guyanese citizens to the Guyanese authorities, as well as the two detained vessels. In addition, the General Secretariat reiterates its support for the rules and processes set out by international law regarding ongoing territorial conflicts. “
The OAS made clear that the dispute between the two countries must be settled by the international court, and not by unilateral and aggressive actions on Venezuela’s behalf. He also reminded the OAS that “any attempt to dismantle this international legal process, such as the decree issued by the Maduro regime, is contrary to international law and standards, and has no legal significance or significance.”

Belize
The Belize Government also issued a statement of its own, expressing its concern over the news that Venezuela had detained Guyanese vessels and fishing crew. And much like in Trinidad, Belizean Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay summoned Venezuelan Ambassador Gerardo Argote to Belmopan for a meeting to explain his country’s actions.
“Minister Courtenay took the opportunity to condemn this latest flagship violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Venezuela. Belize called for the immediate release of illegally detained Guyanese nationals and their shipping, and urged the Venezuela Government to respect international law and secure a peaceful resolution of this incident, ”Belize said in his statement.
“Minister Courtenay has remained in close contact with his colleague, the Hon. Hugh Todd, Guyana’s Foreign Minister, on this issue. Belize reiterates its unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the process under way before the International Court of Justice to finally and peacefully resolve the dispute between the two countries, ”the statement added.
The two Guyanese-registered fishing boats, with combined crews consisting of 12 men, were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s Unique Economic Zone (EEZ) when intercepted by the Venezuelan naval ship Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24 on January 21.
The captain of one of the ships, Lady Nayera, is Captain Richard Ramnarine and includes crew members Ramlakan Kamal, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph.
The other ship, the Sea Wolf, is Captain Toney Garraway, and includes crew members Errol Gardener, Orland Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shirvin Oneil and Randy Henry.
These Guyanese fishermen have since been brought to court in Venezuelan, and reports indicate that they will be held in custody for about 45 days pending an investigation.
The detention of the two ships comes on the heels of the recent presidential decree of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, which reinforced his country’s illegal assertion of Guyana’s Essequibo region. (G3)