Venezuela is increasing naval activity in Guyana waters since the Maduro decree
Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro.
Kaieteur News – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, informed the National Assembly yesterday that Venezuela increased its naval activity in Guyana waters, following a January 7, 2021 decree made by President Nicolas Maduro, in which he laid new allegations. to the Essequibo.
In a statement to the National Assembly, Todd noted that the increased activity in Guyana’s maritime space by Venezuelan navy ships and other assets of the Venezuelan state continues to undermine Guyana’s development.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also explained that “such illegal activity,” threatens Guyana’s sovereign rights from its maritime space and impedes economic activity. According to Todd, this threat was experienced in the unfortunate event of January 21, 2021, when two Guyanese fishing boats, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, intercepted by a Venezuelan navy Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, disembarked. on the coast of Waini Point (well within the territory of Guyana).
“The crew and the two boats were illegally detained by the Venezuelan Government and are currently being detained in Port Guiria. Guyana has strongly condemned the illegal detention of its citizens and the illegal seizure of their fishing vessels by the Venezuelan navy. As I speak, my Ministry continues to engage with the International community to resolve this issue in the most peaceful and diplomatic way, ”Minister Todd said in the statement.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd.
Minister Todd, meanwhile, noted that the international community has shown strong support for Guyana with the issue.
He explained that “the individual CARICOM Member States and the whole Community, have denied the actions taken by Venezuela calling on them to release the crew and ships.”
The American Provinces Organization has also issued a statement in which it points out that resolving the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana is an issue that comes under international jurisdiction, and cannot be settled by unilateral action.
In this regard, Todd emphasized that any attempt to expel this international legal process, such as the decree, issued by the Maduro regime is contrary to international law and standards, and has no legal influence on significance.
“We are heartened that the international community is caught up on this issue and urged Venezuela to release our Guyanese nationals and their fishing vessels and refrain from acts that violate international law and threaten the region’s peace and stability,” Said Todd.
To date, Guyana has gained support from individual member states of the international community including Belize, Brazil, Canada, France, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as through regional and international groups from CARICOM, the OAS, the Commonwealth, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Provinces and the European Union in its vigorous efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela announced during a meeting of the National Defense Council held on January 7, 2021 that he had established a “new maritime territory” from Venezuela, claiming that the territory was called “Territory for the development of the Atlantic facade” It should provide adequate protection and protection of the jurisdiction of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela.