- SVG to facilitate high-level meeting between Venezuela and Guyana on Border crisis
- Brazil, CARICOM, CELAC to host meeting between Presidents Ali, Maduro
- Guyana, Venezuela presidents to meet Thursday on border row
Kingstown will facilitate high-level conversations between Guyana and Venezuela regarding the ongoing border conflict.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. and will be hosted by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Heads of State of CARICOM, a United Nations Under-Secretary General, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) President, Ralph Gonsalves.
Following telephone discussions among Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Caracas consented to the negotiations.
A letter sent to Presidents Ali and Maduro by Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines stated;
“Given the recent events and circumstances attendant upon the border controversy, the leaderships of CELAC and CARICOM have assessed, in the interest of all concerned, including our Caribbean and Latin American civilisations, the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-to-face, between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela.”
Guyana’s President has often stated that the boundary dispute is firmly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which will provide a definitive and binding verdict on the matter and is not subject to debate.
On Saturday, the President repeated his position on the social media platform X.
“We are committed to regional peace.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will ultimately settle the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to international law.” We have made it obvious that, as responsible citizens and citizens of this country, we are open to discussions and talks.”
Meanwhile, the President’s Office announced on Saturday in Georgetown that President Ali had been contacted by leaders from CELAC, Brazil, and numerous bilateral allies, encouraging discussion with Maduro.
President Ali was also requested to “explore the possibility of a meeting with President Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines” during an emergency meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on Friday.
However, on Saturday, President Ali was approached by Gonsalves on a meeting with President Maduro.
President Ali has since agreed to have this meeting.
This information is breaking news and will be continuously updated as more details emerge.
