Nicolás Maduro and Irfaan Ali, presidents of Venezuela and Guyana, have met face-to-face in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in a first attempt to ease tensions arising from an old dispute around Essequibo that have greened dangerously in the wake of public consultation. It is the first of the countries to open the doors to annex this 160,000 square kilometer area, which is very rich in hydrocarbons and minerals, at least on paper. “Venezuela and Guyana They express their willingness to continue the dialogue, Miraflores Palace stated that it was making efforts to resolve the dispute regarding Essequibo. Venezuelan Minister of Communications Freddy Ñáñez called the meeting “successful” because it showed that the “only way” to resolve the situation must be based on “understanding.” and respect, free from interference, prioritizing well-being.
Ali said residents are determined to ensure that their area remains peaceful. However, Georgetown emphasized that its position “is and will continue to be that the complaint be resolved” by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Meanwhile Essequibo”is not the subject of discussion, debate or discussion“.
The meeting, which was followed with expectation and concern, was coordinated by the host island’s prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, within the framework of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) meeting, attended by Brazil, a determined supporter of the dialogue, and the EU ambassador. United Nations Secretary-General Earle Courtenay Rattray. One picture said it all It was also revealed by the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself: Ali is seen sitting, then Maduro enters and sits in front of his counterpart. An awkward exchange of glances then takes place, to which Ali responds by lifting his chin and making a slight positive gesture.
“I come at the instruction of the Venezuelan people. “A promise of dialogue, a promise of peace, but to defend the rights of the people, of our country,” Maduro said upon landing. Days ago, tensions escalated after the Miraflores Palace decided to close the palace. oil exploration permit In what Venezuela calls Guayana Esequiba. This announcement immediately caused great unrest in Georgetown, which had the support of the United States and Britain. Ali later emphasized that projects approved by his Government, including Exxon Mobil and its next partner Chevron, which also operates in Venezuela, are not at risk. Nobody other than the China National Petroleum Corporation will be involved in this business. Guyana’s economy is booming due to oil production, which could reach 1.2 million barrels per day by 2027. “I have made it clear that Guyana has the right to facilitate any investment, any partnership (…), issuance (…). The granting of any license and any privilege is prohibited in our sovereign territory,” he said. The meeting took place after Ali said in an interview with American channel NBC News that Maduro A “criminal” who “acted carelessly.”
Negotiation perspectives
Various experts agree that the Caribbean meeting will not change the course of the bilateral dispute. “What kind of negotiation would that be if the President of Guyana says that the case is ongoing at the International Court of Justice? I’m not willing to give up the territory“International Strategic Studies doctor Ricardo Salvador de Toma wanted to find out in his meeting with Caracas magazine.” As are. According to Sadio Garavini, Venezuela’s former ambassador to Georgetown, the Government should focus on preparing its arguments before the ICJ next April. If you don’t”We will definitely lose the punishment“. If you present your position accurately, with the help of national and international advisors, “you have a 50/50 chance of winning the case and the Arbitration Award (from the late 19th century) will be deemed void. “This is serious.”
The dispute lasted a long time an unprecedented twist Following the approval of the popular consultation in Venezuela on December 3. The Palace of Miraflores immediately ordered Essequibo to be included in the new map of the country and ordered the deployment of a military division near the disputed territory.
“I bring the facts with me” Ali repeated when he arrived at the meeting, Guyanese media reported. On December 1, the International Hague Tribunal ordered Venezuela not to take any measures that would change “the situation currently prevailing” in Essequibo. The opinion was unanimous. The court also asked both parties to refrain from “any action that would aggravate, prolong or complicate the resolution of the dispute before the Court.”