KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC -St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Thursday described as “unlucky” {a photograph} displaying him and his International Affairs Minister, Keisal Melissa Peters, with the map of Venezuela that features Guyana’s Essequibo County.
“It has been drawn to my consideration {that a} {photograph}, taken in December 2022, through which 1 appeared with different individuals ostensibly displaying a “papier-mâché” depiction of a map of Venezuela which, controversially, contains the Essequibo or a part of it, has surfaced/resurfaced on social media,” Gonsalves mentioned in a January 4 letter to Presidents Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela.
Prime Minister Gonsalves can be the pro-tempore chairman of the Neighborhood of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which considerably obtained Maduro and Ali to satisfy in Kingstown on December 14 final 12 months.
The discussions had been facilitated by Gonsalves and Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the chairman of the 15-member Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM).
Gonsalves and Skerrit, along with Celso Amorim, particular adviser and private envoy of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, acted as principal Interlocutors.
The assembly led to the Argyle Declaration, easing the strain between the 2 nations over the possession of the Essequibo area, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana and is house to 125,000 of the nation’s 800,000 residents.
On Wednesday, Antigua and Barbuda’s Everlasting Consultant to the USA and the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, posted a duplicate of the {photograph} on his Fb web page.
The Guyanese-born diplomat mentioned he believes that Prime Minister Gonsalves was unaware that the Venezuelan map signifies the annexure of the Essequibo area.
“I’ve identified and extremely regarded Dr Ralph Gonsalves for over 40 years. I can’t be satisfied that he was made conscious of the picture when he held up this map, displaying the Essequibo included into Venezuela.
“The Ralph Gonsalves, I do know and respect, wouldn’t consciously do such a one-sided factor whereas the world awaits a call on the Guyana-Venezuela controversy from the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, and whereas he, himself, is taking part in the position of CELAC’s sincere dealer,” Sir Ronald wrote.
In his letter to the 2 presidents, Prime Minister Gonsalves mentioned he had been “suggested that the occasion at which this {photograph} was taken was one commemorating the life and work of the nice Liberator, Simon Bolivar.”
He mentioned the occasion occurred on the grounds of the residence/ workplace of the Cost d’Affaires of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I don’t recall ever seeing this {photograph} earlier than its present circulation. I’m knowledgeable that footage had been being taken in entrance of flags of St. Vincent, the Grenadines, Venezuela, and a bust of Bolivar.
“Whereas the pictures had been being taken, I’m suggested that somebody hooked up to the Venezuelan Embassy positioned the “papier-mâché” depiction of the mentioned map in entrance of us. | didn’t take a look at what the depiction was. I assumed that it was about Simon Bolivar,” he wrote.
Gonsalves, essentially the most prolonged serving head of presidency in CARICOM, mentioned, “it’s unlucky that this harmless inadvertence on my half has been utilized by some to drum up, unnecessarily, antipathy of 1 sort or one other.
“I perceive all of the feelings attendant on this controversial problem, and once in a while, there will likely be flare-ups. As at all times, we as leaders should keep endurance and a peaceful figuring out that the solar brightens stone, even because the river burns.”
He reminded the leaders of the “Joint Declaration at Argyle for Dialogue and Peace Between Guyana and Venezuela for all of us, particularly each of you, to use and construct upon.”
Gonsalves mentioned he has “spoken to my buddies” Irfaan and his Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo “about this matter of the “paper-mâché” depiction,” including, “hopefully it has been laid to relaxation, the place it ought correctly to reside among the many assorted ghosts from the previous, which ought by no means to rule us from the grave.”
Gonsalves mentioned he’s additionally “profoundly inspired” by the letter dated January 2, 2024, from the President of Guyana to the President of Venezuela in respect of arranging the primary
assembly of “The Joint Fee” in Brasilia to advance additional the Argyle Declaration and its functions.”
In accordance with the Argyle Declaration, “each States agreed to satisfy once more in Brazil, inside the subsequent three months, or at one other agreed time, to think about any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, together with the replace talked about above of the joint fee.”
The declaration additionally indicated that each nations had agreed that they “instantly or not directly, won’t threaten or use power towards each other in any circumstances, together with these consequential to any current controversies between the 2 States.”
In addition they “agreed that any controversies between the 2 States will likely be resolved by worldwide regulation, together with the Geneva Settlement dated February 17, 1966” and are “dedicated to the pursuance of excellent neighborliness, peaceable coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
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