Venezuela says Guyana, CARICOM on hostile treatment campaign
Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza
Kaieteur News – The Venezuela Government has accused Guyana of being on a campaign to handle the Essequibo controversy. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza released a statement on Thursday, saying Venezuela regrets that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is now “echoing” that ‘campaign of manipulation’, an act that Venezuela considers hostile. CARICOM is chaired by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.
“The Bolivian Republic of Venezuela is a country with a peaceful vocation,” said Venezuela, “who has broadly demonstrated her solidarity with all the countries of the region, always promoting good neighborhood relations, respect and cooperation. Venezuela has shown unconditional solidarity at times when its Caribbean neighbors have experienced difficult situations. ”
This statement followed CARICOM’s decision to stand in solidarity with Guyana, in calling for the release of the detained Venezuela Guyanese fishermen last week. The two vessels, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, had been operating just offshore at Waini Point where they were intercepted by the Venezuela Navy Ship, Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, and ordered to make their way to Port Guiria to ‘ w maintained.
CARICOM on Wednesday had expressed serious concern about escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, and recalled a statement it made on Jan. 12 in which it firmly denied Venezuela’s aggressive actions against Guyana. CARICOM said Venezuela should respect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not undermine the region’s security.
Venezuela did not appreciate CARICOM’s statement, as it claimed that Guyanese fishermen were involved in illegal fishing in Venezuela’s waters. Foreign Minister Arreaza even threatened to take further action against any other Guyanese found in the waters of the Essequibo.
Venezuela further sought to throw Guyana in a bad light, noting that Guyana was promoting military operations with “extra-regional powers” in “controversial” waters.
“Recently,” said Venezuela, “the Defense Force of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the United States Coastguard Service jointly developed military exercises in controversial waters, very close to the jurisdictional waters of Venezuela, in an area still to be found. delimited and where US companies have significant economic benefits, especially in the energy field. This fact should be a shared concern for the Caribbean community. ”
The Bolivian Republic said that despite CARICOM contributing to an “ominous climate of hostility”, it will continue to advocate for respect for the principles of international law. Despite this, Venezuela has consistently rejected calls to release its illegally seized navy in Guyana waters, and has rejected the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to preside over litigation over its claim on Guyana territory. Venezuela has instead called on Guyana to negotiate with him.