by Gordon Moseley in Bridgetown, Barbados

President David Granger arrived in Barbados on Wednesday afternoon for the CARICOM Heads of Government Meetings and immediately made it clear that he intends to press CARICOM to strongly condemn Venezuela’s decree claiming Guyanese territory and he wants the regional body to do so in more than just one paragraph.

In an interview with News Source at the Grantley Adams Airport as he walked along the tarmac, the President said regional integration remains important for CARICOM and therefore CARICOM must recognize that Venezuela by its latest action is now a threat to that regional integration.

“I am looking for a condemnation of the Venezuela decree. More than just the one paragraph”, President Granger said as he explained that the actions of Venezuela has to be addressed by CARICOM.

“We feel that particularly because of the Venezuela decree, this is one of the greatest threats to the integration movement and it is a threat to Guyana’s sovereignty. So my message will be basically that.”

Guyana has strongly criticized the move by Venezuela to claim Guyana’s oil rich waters which is currently being explored by American company, ExxonMobil.  The David Granger administration has made it clear that it will protect the interests of Guyana.

Just after his arrival in Barbados, President Granger met with Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. He also held brief discussions with Guyana’s Consul General in Barbados.

This is the President’s first official trip since being sworn into office back in May. This will also be his first CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting. He is being accompanied by Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Carl Greenidge as well as the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell.

The President is listed among the CARICOM Heads of Government who will address the opening of the meeting on Thursday.

News Source Coverage of CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados compliments of LIAT and GT&T

Related posts:

UN Secretary General to dispatch mission to Guyana to hold talks on Venezuelan decree following meeting with President Granger Maduro pulls out of CARICOM meeting; sends his Vice President instead President Granger blasts Venezuela as “monkey” on Guyana’s back with its territorial claims; Calls on CARICOM to show solidarity Guyana demands withdrawal of decree as Maduro and Granger set to meet in Barbados