This Saturday it was announced that the meeting between the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and Irfaan Ali, of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, will take place next Thursday, December 14, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The information was provided by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, at a press conference in which he read a letter sent to both leaders.
The letter reports that the meeting will be held under the auspices of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) where will be addressed issues consequential to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.
Following, the full text of the letter:
Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
December 9, 2023
Your Excellencies
Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolás Maduro
Respectively from the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Dear Irfaan and Nicolás:
Subject: Presidential meeting to be held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines under the auspices of Celac and Caricom on Thursday, December 14, 2023 on matters consequential to the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela
The leadership of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consider it necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening of a meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14. 2023, at 10:00 a.m., between the Presidents of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on matters consequential to the border controversy between these two great countries.
You have both agreed with me that this meeting will be held under the auspices of CELAC, of which Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the pro tempore president, and CARICOM, whose current president is the Commonwealth of Dominica. Both of you have also requested the distinguished presence of the esteemed President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva. Consequently, an invitation is sent to our dear brother Lula.
Taking into account the recent events and circumstances accompanying the border dispute, the leaders of CELAC and CARICOM have assessed, in the interest of all concerned, including our Caribbean and Latin American civilizations, the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate, face to face dialogue between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela. Both have agreed with this assessment in the search for peaceful coexistence, the application and respect of international law and the avoidance of the use or threat of force.
Both have public record of their commitment to the Caribbean as a zone of peace and the maintenance of international law.
Experience has taught humanity that it is mature, wise and preferable for leaders of nations in conflict to speak to each other calmly, respectfully and patiently, to avoid escalation leading to threats or the use of force. To be sure, resolving old controversies in challenging contemporary times is never easy; For leaders it is exhausting, but it is preferable to lead an exhausting life in peace than one of ignoble tranquility in perpetual conflict or violence.
We are all aware that the Government of Guyana is seeking resolution of the border dispute through the processes of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is currently dealing with the matter. We are also aware that the government of Venezuela has rejected the ICJ path as a resolution modality. The Parliament of Guyana has unanimously ordered the President of Guyana not to discuss the border dispute with the government of Venezuela.
The people of Venezuela have overwhelmingly advised their government in an advisory referendum on December 3, 2023, not to accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ in matters of border dispute. Clearly, each of you has to draw on the proverbial wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the foresight of all the ancient prophets to engender good neighborliness in peace, justice, security, and prosperity for all involved. Therefore, each of you has much to raise and/or discuss regarding the issues related to the border controversy, even if respecting the advice, or more, of your respective peoples and the Parliament/National Assembly.
Please have in mind that each of you is free to suggest the necessary modalities of a face-to-face dialogue, including the role of any designated interlocutor. Both Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, President of CARICOM, and I, as Pro Tempore President of CELAC, are available to assist in any constructive way that each of you may suggest or require.
The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is pleased to receive each of you, Prime Minister Skerrit, President Lula and any other recommended leaders of the region, and your respective delegations. Time is of the essence. Let us all resolve to make this historic meeting a success.
There is a lot at stake for our Caribbean and Latin American civilization.
All the best to you two, your respective families, governments and people.
Sincerely yours,
Ralph.”
Dr. Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves
Prime Minister
Copy: President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM
