Caricom knocks Venezuela over Guyana dispute
Tuesday 12 January 2021
File photo of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley hosts his first meeting as chairman of Caricom in January. Photo source: The Office of the Prime Minister
UNDER the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Caricom on Tuesday criticised the Venezuelan government’s recent claim to two-thirds of Guyana, a Caricom member State, including offshore and oil-rich areas.
Following an angioplasty over the weekend, Dr Rowley chaired his first meeting as new chairman, held virtually, after which Caricom issued a statement on the border issue.
“The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is deeply disappointed and concerned at the decree and subsequent statements by Venezuela with respect to that country’s border controversy with Guyana, including intimations of the creation of a strategic area of national development called ‘Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade.’”
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd registering Guyana’s strong objection to Venezuela’s latest claim to the coast west of the Essequibo River, during a meeting with Chargé d’Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy, Moses Chavez. Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana Venezuela’s recent claims to the seas and seabed adjacent to the coast west of the Essequibo River, which belong to Guyana, continue to receive strong condemnation from local and foreign stakeholders, with the parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations and Canada being the latest to add their voice to this matter.
The commander of US Southern Command Craig Faller arrived in Guyana for a three-day visit, following the start of joint US-Guyana coast guard exercises On 9 January, Maduro vowed to re-conquer the disputed Essequibo province, which makes up the western two-thirds of Guyana
The United States is doubling its support for Guyana in the territorial dispute with Venezuela, another flank in Washington s campaign to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of power.
The commander of the US Southern Command Craig Faller arrived in Guyana on Monday for a three-day visit, following the start of joint US-Guyana coast guard exercises on 8 January. USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) is involved in the Southern Cross exercise. Acting assistant secretary of state Michael Kozak reaffirmed US support for Guyana s stance.
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