…after Guyana registered strong protest
Venezuela Ambassador to Guyana Luis Edgardo Diaz Monclus said he was disappointed with the fighter jets flyover of his military in Guyana’s airspace on Tuesday and insisted that Caracas was committed to peaceful relations with Guyana.
Monclus made the comments after he was summoned by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd on Wednesday and handed a protest note outlining Guyana’s condemnation of the recent violation of this country’s sovereignty.
Minister Todd informed the Ambassador that on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at approximately 13:20 hrs., two Venezuelan Sukhoi SU 30 fighter jets, flew over the community of Eteringbang and the airstrip at a very low altitude. The fighter jets then circled the location once before proceeding in an easterly direction. The Minister voiced the Government’s concerns on the act of aggression and stated that such an action was a clear violation of Guyana’s territorial space as well as International law and convention.
Further, the Foreign Minister noted that this act not only challenged the good neighbourly relations but, by extension peace and stability of the region. “He reiterated President Ali’s commitment to engaging with Venezuela in areas of mutual interest for the betterment and prosperity of the people of Guyana and Venezuela,” a statement by Todd’s ministry said.
In turn, Ambassador Monclus registered his disappointment in hearing of this development. The Ambassador mentioned that he is only aware of a reconnaissance mission within Venezuelan territory to monitor narco-trafficking and illegal activities. He said that Venezuela was committed to peaceful relations with Guyana and committed to transmitting the information from the Foreign Minister to his Capital. He promised to provide feedback in a timely manner. The meeting ended on a cordial note.
In an earlier statement the ministry said this latest hostility by Venezuela follows closely on the heels of the Decree recently issued by President Nicolas Maduro which purports to establish maritime territory for Venezuela which encompasses Guyana’s territorial waters, EEZ and continental shelf, as well as its land territory west of the Essequibo River; and the illegal interception and detention of two Guyanese fishing vessels and their crew in Guyana’s waters.
It also comes after the resolutions of the Special Commission for the Defence of the “Guayana Esequiba” and Territorial Sovereignty which recommended the convening a session of this Special Commission to the Essequibo with the assistance of the Venezuelan armed forces.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the incursion of Guyana’s territory of the two Venezuelan fighter jets is a clear indication that the Government of Venezuela is prepared to use aggression and intimidation to accomplish what cannot be accomplished by legal means- the surrender by Guyana of its patrimony. The Government of Guyana, the Foreign Ministry said, exhorts the Government of Venezuela, and its agents, to behave in a manner consistent with international law and good neighbourly relations. “The international community will be kept informed of all actions undertaken by Venezuela to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and threaten the peace and security of the region,” the Foreign Ministry said.
