–St Vincent Prime Minister responds to criticism over photo with controversial Venezuelan map with Guyana’s Essequibo

PRIME Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has said that a picture capturing him alongside other officials posing with a papier-mâché map of Venezuela which includes Guyana’s Essequibo region, was an “innocent inadvertence.”

Gonsalves, in a letter addressed to Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, on Thursday, clarified that the photograph in question was taken in December 2022 during an event commemorating the life and work of Simon Bolivar, the great Liberator, at Villa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I have been advised that the event at which this photograph was taken was one commemorating the life and work of the great Liberator, Simon Bolivar; the place was at Villa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on the grounds of the residence/office of the Chargé d’Affaires of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I do not recall ever seeing this photograph before its current circulation. I am informed that photographs were being taken in front of flags of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela and a bust of Bolivar. While the photographs were being taken, I am advised that someone attached to the Venezuelan Embassy placed the “papier-mache” depiction of the said map in front of us. I did not look at what the depiction was. I assumed that it was about Simon Bolivar,” Dr Gonsalves said.

Acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue, Gonsalves referred to the incident as an “innocent inadvertence” on his part, as he explained that this inadvertence had been exploited by some.

The photograph had been circulated on a Venezuelan Twitter account known for posting propaganda related to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

“It is unfortunate that this innocent inadvertence on my part has been used by some to drum up, unnecessarily, antipathy of one kind or another. I understand all the emotions attendant on this controversial issue; and from time-to-time there will be flare-ups,” the Vincentian PM said.

Gonsalves added that he recognised the emotions surrounding the controversial matter but urged leaders to maintain patience and calm, emphasiing the need to apply The Joint Declaration at Argyle for Dialogue and Peace Between Guyana and Venezuela.

The Prime Minister, in his role as Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Pro Tempore President played a crucial role in recent face-to-face talks between Guyana and Venezuela which culminated with the “Argyle Declaration.” Both leaders are set to meet soon in Brazil for a second scheduled talks.

Gonsalves revealed that following the circulation of the controversial photograph, he had discussed the matter with President Ali and Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, expressing hope that the issue had been laid to rest.

The Vincentian Prime Minister said suggested that the incident should reside among the assorted ghosts from the past, emphasising the importance of not letting historical issues dictate the present.

Vice President Jagdeo, while speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said that the Vincentian Prime Minister’s explanation was “credible.”

“I don’t think that Ralph Gonsalves would knowingly pose in a picture with a Venezuelan map that shows Essequibo as part of Venezuela. Ralph and every other Caribbean leader have expressed some strong solidarity with Guyana,” Vice President Jagdeo said.