President Irfaan Ali has written to the Chairman of CARICOM, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Terrence Drew, expressing concerns over the display of a brooch with Guyana’s Essequibo region being part of Venezuela, worn by Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, while meeting with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Monday.

 This is the second CARICOM leader within two weeks to have hosted the Venezuelan Acting President, and on both occasions, the brooch was worn by Rodriguez.

In his letter, the President said Guyana fully respects the right of sovereign CARICOM member states to conduct bilaterial relations with all partners including Venezuela.

However, he noted that it is regrettable that such engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.

“The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a member state risk being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance. No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, should create an impression that the community’s platforms may be used to advance claims that are now before the International Court of Justice. CARICOM principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in context and conduct of official engagements,” the President wrote in his letter.

The President made clear that the issue goes way beyond symbolism, and said it is a calculated and provocative assertions of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected and which is before the ICJ.

The President went further to tell the CARICOM Chairman that Venezuela cannot normalize by symbols, maps, legislations and appointments or official display what it has failed to, especially in law, in light of the ICJ case. He said such conduct undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement, international law and good neighbourly relations.

“I am writing to you as, the current Chairman of CARICOM, conveying Guyana’s concern and urging continued vigilance in safeguarding the community’s principled position. Guyana reminds all CARICOM Heads of Government, of their repeated and unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the court. That position was reaffirmed most recently at the Fiftieth Regular meeting of the conference of heads of government,” the President reminded.

The President reminded that Venezuela’s acts of provocation have been continuing despite agreements and Court rulings that prevent Caracas from altering the situation.

The President noted that Guyana remains fully committed to see the process completed in line with international law and urges all nations including Venezuela to act consistently with the principles of the United Nations charter.

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