The Barbados Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in a statement says it condemns Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley’s failure to support Guyana against Venezuela’s claim on Guyana’s territory. The DLP is greatly concerned that the leadership of Barbados is failing to support Guyana against Venezuela’s move to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana.
This position, the party says, follows a previous statement by DLP leader Dr. Ronnie Yearwood which condemned Venezuela’s referendum to incorporate Essequibo as part of the territory of Venezuela. Dr. Yearwood also criticised Mottley’s failure to unequivocally condemn Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo as wrong.
Speaking at a DLP St. Michael Central branch meeting held on 19 November 2023, Dr. Yearwood stated that “Barbados and CARICOM must stand on the right side of history in supporting Guyana’s territorial sovereignty.”
He urged Barbados to follow CARICOM in taking a clear unified position against Venezuela’s claims over a significant portion of Guyana’s territory. Dr Yearwood noted that Venezuela’s actions not only affect Guyana but also threaten peace and security within the Caribbean region.
Dr. Yearwood condemned the approach of the Barbados Mia Mottley-led administration as hedging its bets and playing both sides, especially given the recent meetings and upcoming agreements the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration has been seeking to conclude with Guyana and Venezuela.
Dr. Yearwood is mindful of the strength of the diplomatic relationship between Guyana and Barbados. He cited the cooperation between DLP founder and Prime Minister of Barbados Errol Barrow and President of Guyana Forbes Burnham in negotiating the agreement establishing CARICOM.
This agreement has set the tone in large measure for the friendly relations that Guyana and Barbados have enjoyed, and the outstanding working relationship with mutual benefits to both sides. Dr. Yearwood further recalled that many Barbadians have settled in Guyana.
He urged CARICOM countries that are signatories to the Venezuela-Caribbean Petrocaribe oil procurement agreement to resist attempts to use the agreement as leverage to gain support for Venezuela.
Dr. Yearwood believes that supporting CARICOM states when their sovereignty is undermined is inherent to the foreign policy of CARICOM. On this basis, CARICOM should support Guyana’s defense of its territory in the case currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Additionally, Dr. Yearwood noted that Barbados and CARICOM have always supported the international rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Therefore, Dr Yearwood calls for Venezuela to respect the ICJ process and fully comply with interim orders of the ICJ. He also urges Guyana and Venezuela to comply with the final ICJ decision when it is delivered.
