GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Commonwealth Secretary-Common Patricia Scotland KC has echoed the alarm of the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, after a coast guard vessel from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela entered the waters of Guyana on Saturday.
Ali, in a information convention, acknowledged {that a} Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel had entered the maritime waters of Guyana, approached lawfully working belongings there, and transmitted a radio message declaring that it was in ‘disputed worldwide waters’ when it was inside Guyana’s territory.
The Commonwealth Secretary-Common has condemned this motion within the strongest doable phrases and urged the worldwide group and the Commonwealth household to proceed to assist Guyana.
The Secretary-Common additionally praised Guyana’s response, saying it exhibited restraint and accountability by partaking in diplomatic actions to deal with the disaster.
“This latest motion by Venezuela runs counter to the spirit of the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, signed on 14 December 2023, the place each states agreed to make use of worldwide legislation and diplomatic means to deal with the controversy and to chorus from escalating the battle.”
The Secretary-Common inspired Venezuela to respect worldwide legislation and to stick to the unanimous Order on Provisional Measures of the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) of 1 December 2023, which offered that, pending the Courtroom’s closing resolution within the case.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall chorus from taking any motion that might modify the present state of affairs within the disputed territory, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and workout routines management over that space.”
The Secretary-Common pointed to the Leaders’ Assertion and Samoa Communiqué of the just lately held Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly in Apia, Samoa, final October 2024, the place Leaders unanimously “reiterated their continued assist for the ICJ, which has accepted jurisdiction over the controversy, to resolve the matter absolutely and at last utilizing its binding authorized judgment.” The Commonwealth Heads of Authorities additionally “reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s dependable assist for the preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-Common urged the Authorities and other people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to abide by the ideas of worldwide legislation and to chorus from actions that threaten the peace and stability of the Caribbean area.
The Secretary-Common reiterated President Ali’s request, made on 1 March 2025, that “Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is revered and honored.”
