By Admin. Updated 7:25 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The opposition New Democratic Party – NDP says it welcomes the upcoming meeting between the presidents of Venezuela and Guyana set to take place on December 14 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
In a press release issued on Tuesday (December 12), the NDP said it is “gravely concerned about the escalating border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana and supports all efforts to promote its peaceful resolution”.
“Accordingly, the NDP welcomes the meeting between the leaders of both countries set to take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday 14th December 2023. We urge the Government of Venezuela to abide by the December 1st ruling of the International Court of Justice and, like Guyana, to commit to using the Court to settle the dispute permanently,” the NDP said.
President of the NDP Dr Godwin Friday said ‘We must do all we can to support the rule of international law and respect of Guyana’s territorial integrity. We cannot support the flouting of international law and legal processes nor condone the use of unilateral actions and threats to settle the dispute. Thursday’s meeting between the leaders must affirm the commitment to the peaceful resolution of the dispute and the maintenance our zone of peace,’ the press release stated.
The meeting between Venezuela’s President – Mr. Nicolás Maduro and Guyana’s President – Dr. Irfaan Ali was set up by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister – Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as this country is the Pro Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States – CELAC, a body of which Venezuela and Guyana are members.
The Office of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines posted today that preparations are being put in place for the hosting of the meeting.
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