FIRST Vice-President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been sworn-in as acting President by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Carl Singh.The Prime Minister was sworn-in yesterday afternoon, following the departure of President David Granger for Barbados. The Guyanese Leader is heading a delegation to the 36th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference taking place from July 2-5, in the Caribbean nation.

President Granger is also among several incoming and newly elected Heads of Government who are scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the Conference, which begins at 16:30 hrs today.

The new CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, and its Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, will also be delivering addresses. Key issues expected to be on the agenda during the Conference include Venezuela’s maritime claim to Guyana’s territory, the Dominica Republic’s move to expel Dominicans of Haitian descent, and sustainable development goals and challenges.

On the eve of his departure for the Conference, the President had issued the following statement.

“The Government of Guyana remains committed to improving relations with the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Guyana remains steadfast, however, in its stand against the several illegal and increasingly militant actions of Venezuela directed against Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guyana reasserts that its lawful boundaries that were established 116 years ago are not negotiable. Violation of them on land or at sea is an assault on the tenets of CARICOM and must be condemned as such.

The President said that this will be Guyana’s message to all at the Heads of Government Conference.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo will be performing the duties that fall under the purview of the President, until the President returns to Guyana. (GINA)