CARICOM leaders, including Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, are gathering in St. Vincent for talks between Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Hosted by St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, other attendees include the CARICOM chairman, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, and leaders from St Lucia, Grenada, and the Bahamas. The UN Secretary General’s office will be represented by two diplomats. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Barbados counterpart Mia Mottley are expected on Thursday. The meeting, held under the auspices of CELAC and CARICOM, aims to facilitate dialogue on matters consequential to the border dispute without acting as a mediator.
Venezuela recently held a referendum, claiming 95% support for annexing the disputed Essequibo region. President Maduro subsequently announced the withdrawal of foreign companies in three months, proposed a law prohibiting transactions with Guyana concessions, and declared the formation of a military unit for Essequibo. The ICJ had ruled against Venezuela seizing Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of Guyanese territory and is home to 125,000 of its citizens. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s PDVSA President calls for establishing bases in Essequibo, following Maduro’s decree, and Venezuela opens an office in Tumeremo for residents to obtain IDs and passports.
Talks being led by CARICOM are seen as an opportunity to de-escalate tensions and explore resolutions.
