Release of fishermen, vessels must precede any bilateral engagement with Venezuela -President Ali

His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said that Guyana is not averse to engaging Venezuela in bilateral matters in which the two countries have a common interest, including the increasing number of Venezuelans now seeking refuge in Guyana, and Covid.

However, the President said, these issues can only be discussed if Venezuela desists from any further acts of aggression against Guyana, starting with the release of the 12 Guyanese fishermen and their vessels, which were illegally seized in Guyana’s waters last week.

President Ali made these statements during his address to the nation on Saturday to provide updates on Venezuela’s illegal actions against Guyana and the Government’s position on the matter.  

The Guyanese leader revealed that on Friday night he received a letter from United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres in which he acknowledged that on January 30, 2018, he chose the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to be used for a solution to the border issue, as he was empowered to do under an agreement signed in Geneva by all parties in 1966.

“The Secretary-General acknowledged that the Court is proceeding to adjudicate the merits of the case. Noting that the bilateral relationship between Guyana and Venezuela is broader than the controversy, should both the Government of Guyana and Venezuela wish to avail themselves to his good offices role to address other important issues, he remains available for that purpose,” President Ali said.

“However, such discussions while welcomed, especially if the UN Secretary-General wishes to play a good offices role, will have to be preceded by a clear demonstration by Venezuela that it will desist from any further acts of aggression against Guyana, starting with the release of the Guyanese fishermen and their vessels.”

At the same time, President Ali made it clear that the Government is doing everything within its power to vigorously protect Guyana’s territorial integrity and that the country will not bend to threats to its national security.

“We may be a small country, but we are a proud people. We have no military might, but we have moral and legal right. We pick fights with no one, but we will resist threats from anyone…We will continue to look for a peaceful solution to Venezuela’s aggression.”

To this end, President Ali said the Government will follow the legal process in addressing the border issue which is being heard at the ICJ.

“We believe international law and independent international jurists of the highest calibre offer the most credible and definitive way in which to put an end to the Venezuelan contention. Therefore, we will continue to pursue that course.”

The President was joined by Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd, Advisor on Borders Mr. Carl Greenidge, Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess and other Government officials.  

Brigadier Bess said the Venezuelan incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was first observed on January 14, 2021. He said the vessels may have been there “intermittently” and their mode of movement has been approximately 60 nautical miles east of the median line and approximately 25 nautical miles from Guyana’s coast.

“The last time they were seen there was on January 27 and we continue to log their operations and inform Guyana’s Foreign Ministry of their operations,” Brigadier Bess said.

He also said the GDF would continue to conduct boat and aerial patrols in our EEZ.

Additionally, Minister Todd said Venezuelan Foreign Minister, His Excellency Jorge Arreaza has assured him that the human rights of the Guyanese crew would not be infringed upon.

“I think they are safe, based on the information we have been getting from the families here and coming out from Caracas,” he said.

The crew remain detained aboard their vessels the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf, with security, in Port Guiria, Venezuela.