No dialogue with Venezuela under duress -says President Ali

President Irfaan Ali today made it clear that there will be no dialogue with Venezuela under duress.

Speaking at the Commissioning of a new Guyana Defence Force Air Corps hanger at the Eugene F. Correia Airport at Ogle, the President said Venezuela continues to defy the letter and spirit of the Argyle Declaration and provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice. He made reference to the recent incursion by a Venezuelan Navy vessel in Guyana’s waters and the country’s increasing aggression towards Guyana.

“The very fact that they would seek to hold an election in territory that does not belong to them, tells you that they are not serious about dialogue, they are not serious about the Argyle declaration and we will not be drawn into any discourse under duress, we are all for dialogue, but dialogue with respect,” the President declared.

President Ali said if Venezuela wants to talk, they must first undo the acts that have violated the Argyle Declaration and the orders of the International Court.

“Let it first demonstrate good faith, let it first respect the rule of law, until then, there will be no talks. Sovereignty is not a matter for negotiation. Even as we repose our confidence in the rule of international law and in diplomacy, we are not blind to the realities of the world we live in,” the President said.

Venezuela has been stepping up its claims of Guyana’s Essequibo and has even announced plans to host elections for a Governor of Guyana’s Essequibo region.

The President said a strong nation must have the means to identify and deter threats, while noting that investments are being made for improved and better monitoring of Guyana’s bordering regions.

“We are sending a signal, we are standing in one unified voice that we stand firm, as a country and as a people, and in standing firm we will make every investment necessary to ensure we have what it takes to secure our nations sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the President stated.

The President noted that heavy investments in the Guyana Defence Force is not for war or aggression, but is for protection, development and national security.