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In a potentially ineffectual moment for regional diplomacy, the presidents of Venezuela and Guyana convened in Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to address the long-standing territorial controversy over Guyana’s territory of Essequibo. The meeting marked an effort towards peace in the region and was facilitated by the intervention of Brazil’s President Lula Da Silva, who was not in attendance at the event, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
It is noteworthy that Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro greeted Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali with an outstretched hand and it remains to be seen whether observers can infer anything from this beyond diplomatic professionalism. Observing this controversial encounter were key regional figures, including Celso Amorim, special envoy of the Brazilian president, and Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, and Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Venezuelan delegation, led by President Maduro, featured prominent officials like Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Chancellor Yván Gil, and the Minister of Communication and Information, Freddy Ñáñez, while the CARICOM Heads in attendance include Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves from St Vincent, Prime Minister Keith Rowley from Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of The Bahamas Philip Davis.
The longstanding controversy over the Essequibo, a vast territory of approximately 160,000 square kilometers, has been a source of disagreement between the two nations for decades. The tension intensified following Venezuela’s unilateral referendum to annex this region, coupled with its military movements near the contentious area. While these developments have not led to confrontations, they have certainly heightened concerns throughout the region.
This high-level presidential meeting, initiated by various countries and prominently advocated by Brazil’s President Lula Da Silva, is perceived as a vital step in easing tensions. The involvement of regional leaders in this meeting highlights a shared commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution.
As both Venezuela and Guyana continue to assert their stances on the international stage, with Guyana advocating for a legal resolution through the International Court of Justice, the Kingstown meeting represents, for some, a ray of hope in diplomatic engagement, while others view it skeptically. The global community is now keenly watching to see the results of this diplomatic intervention.
