-dismisses calls for expulsion of Caracas’ ambassador here
President Irfaan Ali yesterday underscored diplomacy, and not aggression, as Guyana’s weapon of choice in its fight against Venezuela’s territorial claims, as he dismissed calls for the expulsion of Caracas’ ambassador here.
And as he holds firm that Nicolas Maduro’s plans to hold elections for Guyana’s Essequibo region is a threat to this country’s sovereignty, the President said that not an inch of land would be ceded.
“There are three tranches on which we have always defended our sovereignty and territorial integrity. One is diplomacy, first and foremost. We have always pursued diplomacy and diplomatic efforts with our neighbours, regional leaders, the region itself. That’s the entire CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States region] and the international community. So, diplomacy is an important part, an important plan on which we work,” Ali yesterday said when asked about calls to expel the Vene-zuelan ambassador to Guyana and recall Guyana’s Richard Van West-Charles from Caracas.
“The second issue is, of course, strengthening our own defence system, ensuring that we have the best capability in terms of protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity. And thirdly, it is also the support of the international community, continuing to work with the international community, and an important part of that is the international order, the international rule of law, and adhering to that. So, these are the plans on which we work, I wouldn’t go beyond that now,” he added.
The President disclosed that Guyana’s envoy to Venezuela has frequent discussions with Takuba Lodge and the message remains – diplomacy and share the truth and facts on the issue.
“Our instructions to the ambassador and the embassy there is, to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and our position is well known to all stakeholders. When you’re an ambassador in a country, you’re not only speaking to the country, but you have your colleagues who are within that country who are also being fed with different messaging, and you have that opportunity also, to let them be aware of what the truth is,” he expressed.
And as Venezuela purportedly prepares for local government-equivalent elections for this country’s Essequibo region, the President has a message for citizens of Guyana.
“Guyanese, know that we are 83,000 square miles, proud and strong, unshakable, unbreakable, and that is how it’s going to be. That’s how it’s going to be. We are respectful of international order, the international rule of law. We continue to ask all residents to be proud of our heritage. Fly your Golden Arrowhead very high, knowing that not a square inch would be ceded….”
On the issue of Venezuela’s claims to Guyana’s Essequibo region, United States Ambassador Nicole Theriot has reiterated Washington’s position of support, noting, “Our stance has remained exactly the same since this controversy resurfaced. Maduro’s rhetoric is inflammatory and unacceptable, but at the end of the day, it is just bluster aimed at shoring up domestic support. It should not affect Guyana’s investment climate or readiness to do business,” she said. “That is exactly what I and Daniel and our entire team tell every US investor that comes to Guyana or that’s interested in doing business here.”
She further emphasised the US’s support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, which ordered Venezuela not to undertake “elections” in the Essequibo region.
“We fully support the ICJ’s provisional measures for Venezuela to halt its so-called elections in the Essequibo on May 25th, and we’re extremely unhappy that they made that ill-advised decision to go ahead and move forward. You will be seeing a very strongly worded tweet coming out of the State Department very soon on that issue, and it will make extremely clear to you where the US stands. Everyone should see the sham for what it is,” the Ambassador assured.
Calling Venezuela’s moves “sabre rattling,” Theriot reaffirmed Wash-ington’s unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty.
“It’s sabre rattling from the Maduro regime, nothing more. And no amount of bluster or sabre rattling changes the fact that the United States will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Guyana in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
She also condemned recent cross-border violence, where Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks were shot at by- according to GDF Chief of Defence Staff, Omar Khan – “armed men in civilian clothing.”
“Venezuela, of course, has also been in the news recently due to the Sindicato’s acts of aggression against the GDF patrolling the Cuyuni. These are criminals engaging in criminal activity, and the United States stands ready to support the GDF in its effort to eradicate this activity along Guyana’s frontier and to ensure the safety and security of Guyana’s people,” she asserted.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Guyana in March, issued a strong warning to the Venezuelan regime.
“It would be a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime if it attacked Guyana or ExxonMobil’s assets in the Atlantic,” Rubio stated during a joint press conference with President Irfaan Ali. “It will not end well for them.”
