Venezuela’s Foreign Minister working on the release of an early captured Guyanese fisherman
Guyana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd at a video conference with Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s People’s Minister for Foreign Relations
French Republic of Guyana Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana, Antoine Joly meets Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall
Kaieteur News – After Monday’s engagement with Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Relations, Jorge Arreaza has promised to work on the early release of the 12 Guyanese fishermen and two Guyanese registered vessels was taken into custody by Spanish authorities last Thursday.
During that engagement, it was said that Venezuelan Todd’s partner Todd had expressed concerns about how Guyana has been handling the case so far, with a Venezuelan representative even presenting evidence and location coordinates showing the ships were conduct illegal fishing activities in Venezuelan jurisdictional waters. .
A statement by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister outlined that a Protest Note had been sent to Guyana’s Charge d’Affaires, Robert McKenzie, rejecting Guyanese “defamation and accusations” after “unauthorized invasion of these ships”.
“The Bolivian Republic of Venezuela confirms its reprimand for the false accusations and misrepresentations made by Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, considering that they are not based on good faith, while qualifying as unacceptable Guyana’s allegation to name that territory. such as its ‘Unique Economic Zone and Continental Shelf’. Venezuela will continue to protect its jurisdictional waters while protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, ”the statement said.
In addition, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister ensured that crew members were treated with the utmost respect for their human rights. At the request of Foreign Minister Todd, Minister Arreaza undertook to pursue their early release.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to the importance of mutual respect in relations between the two countries.
The two boats, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, had been operating just offshore at Waini Point last Thursday, when they were intercepted by Venezuela Navy Boats Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, and ordered to navigate their way to Port Guiria to be held.
In response, Guyana had announced that it was seeking to secure the status and safety of the crew members of the ships, and ordered the Venezuelan government to release them immediately.
Meanwhile on this issue, Guyana has received the support of the French Resident Ambassador to the Guyana, Antoine Joly who met yesterday with the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.
Ambassador Joly noted that his country will issue a statement in support of Guyana and the responsible stance the Guyana Government has taken in dealing with the latest act of aggression by Venezuelan authorities.
The Ambassador condemned the use of force by that country including their latest raid into the territorial waters of Guyana and the arrest and detention of two fishing boats with Guyanese fishermen.
Ambassador Joly also acknowledged the support Guyana has received from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the global community and is committed to giving a voice to the same.