CARICOM declares… Guyana’s borders cannot be compromised –Commits to maintaining peace in the region
At Saturday’s press conference at the close of the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Seated from left are: Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller; Guyana’s President David Granger; Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart; St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves; and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
At Saturday’s press conference at the close of the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Seated from left are: Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller; Guyana’s President David Granger; Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart; St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves; and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

THE new Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Freundel Stuart, announced on Saturday evening that the Caribbean Community stands in solidarity with Guyana as it relates to the border dispute with Venezuela.

At a press conference at the closing of The 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, Prime Minister Stuart said that CARICOM will do everything in its power to ensure that Venezuela “plays by the rules.”

President David Granger taking questions at the press conference
President David Granger taking questions at the press conference

The new CARICOM Chairman added that while the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela is not new, CARICOM will do all it can to ensure that peace and tranquility is maintained in the Region. Stuart said both countries are committed to a process, and it is the Caribbean Community’s hope that the process will “work itself out.”

“What one has to aim for, as the dispute continues, is a cooling of tempers. We do not think that there can be any compromise so far as Guyana’s territorial border is concerned. It is part of a process, and that process has to work itself out.” He however reiterated that given the fact that Guyana is an original signatory to the Treaty of Chaguramus, CARICOM has to stand firmly behind Guyana even as it tries to maintain a good relationship with Venezuela.

In this light, Prime Minister Stuart said that CARICOM is not prepared to pollute in any way their good relations between other CARICOM Member States and Venezuela. However, he said, thus far, both Guyana and Venezuela have committed to maintaining peace, and that scope exists for an amicable resolution to the dispute. Going forward, Prime Minister Stuart said, “We have to make sure that the situation does not spin out of control, and ensure that level heads are held on both sides.”

Meanwhile, President David Granger, in response to questions about what message he will be taking back to the Guyanese people on the issue, said he will assure them of CARICOM’s support and their commitment for maintaining peace.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, on Thursday, President David Granger presented Guyana’s position to CARICOM in his inaugural speech to the Heads of Government, clearly making the case for regional involvement, and support for maitaining regional security.

CARICOM has now joined the growing chorus of voices which have come out in support of Guyana. Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Ms. Kamla Bissessar stated that her country will not sit idly by and watch Guyana be dispossessed of its exclusive economic zone. In addition, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who also attended the Conference, has indicated that a mission will be deployed to Guyana with the aim of addressing the issue. The Commonwealth had long signalled its support for Guyana following the May 26, 2014 Decree by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, which claimed most of Guyana’s economic zone. (Office of the Presidency)

 

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