EXECUTIVE member of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, is scheduled to become Guyana’s new Ambassador to Venezuela.
This was confirmed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, on Tuesday, to the Guyana Chronicle.

With the rise in tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, this appointment could be seen as a means of fostering peace between the two nations.
Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has yet to deliver a decree on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, the Bolivarian Republic has continued its claim over the country’s territory, and to this, Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has affirmed that no effort will be spared to safeguard its sovereignty.
Dr. Ali, while addressing world leaders at the 78th sitting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, said that Venezuela must honour its obligation under the charter of the UN to respect the rule of law.

“It is sad that 57 years after Guyana’s Independence we remain threatened,” President Ali said.
Venezuela’s most recent claims were made via a Communique, which stated that Guyana does not have the jurisdiction to bid on oil blocks located in its own waters.
President Ali has since responded to the country’s recent claims.

He, however, reiterated to leaders at the UN that Guyana will spare no effort in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Guyana considers this a threat to regional and international peace and security, as well as to Guyana’s investment partners…We demand that Venezuela honours its obligation under the Charter to pursue only peaceful means to settle any disputes it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice,” President Ali said.
The Guyanese Head of State believes that a peaceful resolution within the courts will be equitable, and in line with international law.
In April of this year, the World Court ruled that the case Guyana brought before it seeking to affirm the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award settling the boundaries between it and Venezuela was admissible.

This meant that the court could move forward with hearing the substantive case on its merits, of whether the 1899 arbitral award settling the boundaries of the two countries is valid and binding.

Guyana is currently seeking a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

Notably, the former PNC executive has continuously lauded development works being rolled out by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government and rallied his support behind them.
Last month, during an Emancipation Dinner hosted by President Ali at State House, the son-in-law of the former PNC President, Forbes Burnham, said that Guyana is on the right track to development and unity with President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative.

According to him, Ali’s programmes and initiatives will not only foster peace among Guyanese from all walks of life but also unite the people as the country forges ahead on the path to development.

Van-West Charles, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) during the APNU+AFC’s term in office, noted that President Ali is on a fast-paced track to achieving Guyana’s exceptional transformation.

He urged Guyanese to continue working hard, noting that with the President’s plans, everyone will benefit.