The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will conduct an emergency meeting on Friday to review the recent developments in the Essequibo area conflict between Venezuela and Guyana.
This comes as other CARICOM member states, notably Trinidad and Tobago, reaffirmed their support for the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) jurisdiction, the preservation of peace, and full respect for Guyana’s territorial integrity.
Dr. Amery Browne, Trinidad’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, confirmed plans for a regional body meeting, telling the Trinidad Guardian that Caricom was currently in the process of organising an emergency session of Heads of Government via video conference for Friday.
“And will make additional pronouncements at such time,” he said.
Caricom recently affirmed the International Court of Justice’s order that Venezuela refrain from taking any action that would alter the current position in which Guyana controls the Essequibo.
Browne stated that the ministry received updates and exchanged information with Guyana and Venezuela following the Venezuelan referendum last Sunday.
The ministry also maintained regular contact with Guyana’s Foreign Ministry, its Caracas staff, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Port-of-Spain, and other Caricom peers and significant foreign partners.
Browne went on to say: “Caricom speaks with one voice on this border issue—that voice as always fully includes T&T—and we continue to clearly call for respect for international law and the jurisdiction of the ICJ for peace to be maintained and preserved, and for full respect for the territorial integrity of Guyana and all member states.”
Furthermore, the major opposition, the United National Congress (UNC), has urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to pursue a diplomatic solution to the current impasse with Guyana.
