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…CARICOM calls for the release of Guyanese crew members and vessels
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called on the Government of Venezuela to respect Guyana’s territorial integrity; to release the Guyanese crew and vessel in detention and to desist from such further acts of aggression.
The statement of CARICOM – made up of 15 Member States and five Associate Members — came on Wednesday as many tensely await the release of two Guyanese registered fishing vessels along with their crew who were intercepted by Venezuelan naval vessel Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, while operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyanese territory.
“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses grave concern at the escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela caused by the interception and detention in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone of two Guyanese fishing vessels by a Venezuelan naval vessel on January 21, 2021,” CARICOM stated, adding:
“Recalling its statement of January 12, 2021 in which it had firmly repudiated any acts of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana, CARICOM urges the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and to desist from aggressive acts that will seriously undermine the peace and security not only of Guyana and Venezuela but the entire Caribbean region. The Caribbean Community calls for the immediate release of the crew members and vessels.”
Earlier in January, CARICOM had noted its disappointment with the decree issued by Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro claiming exclusive sovereign rights to the Essequibo region when the matter is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a statement, CARICOM said that it remains firmly against any acts of aggression by Venezuela to Guyana and is in full support of the ICJ in its attempts to bring a peaceful end to the border controversy.
The area in question is part of the Stabroek Block being drilled by US oil giant, ExxonMobil. Only recently the ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction in the Guyana-Venezuela territorial border issue and would soon give the final judgment on the matter. In his response to Maduro’s decree, President Ali had referred Venezuela to the 1899 Arbitral Award and expressed confidence that Guyana’s territory would remain as-is.
