In a resolute declaration, Guyana’s president Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, has reiterated his unwavering stance that the only viable avenue for resolving the longstanding territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela is through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The statement was made by President Ali as he disclosed his upcoming meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on December 14, taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
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The objective of this face-to-face meeting, facilitated by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who presides over the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is to ease the escalating tensions between the two nations.
“There is absolutely no compromise. This matter is before the ICJ and that is where it shall be settled. There are no negotiations on this. There is no compromise on this,” he said.
During a national address, President Ali expressed his hope that “good sense will prevail” following the talks with President Maduro.
He anticipates that Venezuela will abstain from issuing threats and undertaking actions that have the potential to disrupt the prevailing peace in the region. The anticipated meeting between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela is scheduled to commence at approximately 10 am local time.
High-profile mediation and international presence
The discussions will be held under the auspices of Prime Minister Gonsalves and President Lula.
Representatives from the United Nations and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are also slated to attend, underscoring the international significance of this diplomatic endeavor.
