Canada has joined other countries of the world in calling for the safe release of two Guyanese fishing vessels and crew members detained by Venezuela since January 21, 2020.
“Canada supports Guyana in calling for the immediate release of two Guyanese vessels that were detained by the Maduro regime. We repeat our call for International law to be respected,” the Canadian Government stated on Thursday.
Other countries to demand the same include Belize, Brazil, Canada, France, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Earlier in January, Canada had called on Venezuela to respect the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.
Their call came hours after Venezuela had accused Guyana of meddling in its affairs when President Irfaan Ali rejected a decree made by President Nicholas Maduro claiming exclusive sovereign rights to the Essequibo region.
Then, on January 21, 2021, two Guyanese registered fishing vessels were intercepted by Venezuelan naval vessel Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, while operating off the coast of Waini Point at a position of N 80 49’ 06”/ w 590 37’ 40” W.
In protest, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, summoned the Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Mr. Moses Chavez to transfer a protest note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela.
The protest note firmly condemns the illegal detention of the captains and crews of the Guyanese registered fishing vessels, the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf and calls for their immediate release. The Government of Guyana is using all diplomatic channels to ensure the safe return of the crew and vessels to Guyana.
