President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has emphasized the importance of peace and adherence to international law in his upcoming meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, focusing on their ongoing border dispute. This meeting, arranged by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is set for Thursday under the auspices of CELAC and Caricom, with the presence of Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva requested.
Ali, in his response to Gonsalves, has expressed hope for a commitment to peace and respect for Guyana’s borders. He reiterated that the Caricom leaders firmly support Guyana’s resolution of the border controversy with Venezuela through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The leaders have urged Venezuela to respect the current boundary until a final decision is made by the ICJ and reiterated their commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
Guyana remains firm on resolving the dispute through the ICJ, as stated by Ali. He also vowed to take action against any attempts by Venezuela to engage in oil, gas, and mineral explorations, establish a military zone, or grant Venezuelan citizenship to Guyanese nationals in the contested Essequibo region. Ali’s stance underscores Guyana’s commitment to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the gravity of the dispute and the region’s efforts to maintain peace and order under international law.
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