Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, KC, has expressed grave concern following Saturday’s incident in which a Venezuelan coast guard vessel entered the maritime waters of Guyana.
Scotland in her statement, referenced the statement from President Dr Irfaan Ali, who confirmed the incursion.
According to President Ali, the Venezuelan vessel approached Guyana’s lawfully operating assets within its territorial waters and transmitted a radio message claiming to be in ‘disputed international waters,’ despite being well within Guyana’s jurisdiction.
In response, the Commonwealth Secretary-General strongly condemned the Venezuelan action, urging the international community, as well as the Commonwealth family, to continue to lend their support to Guyana in this ongoing territorial dispute. Secretary-General Scotland also praised Guyana for its measured response, which demonstrated both restraint and responsibility, opting to pursue diplomatic channels to address the situation rather than escalating the conflict.
The recent incident stands in stark contrast to the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, signed on 14 December 2023, between Guyana and Venezuela. The agreement called for both countries to resolve their differences through international law and diplomatic efforts, while explicitly avoiding any actions that would heighten tensions in the region.
In her statement, the Commonwealth Secretary-General reminded Venezuela of the importance of adhering to international law, particularly the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on provisional measures issued on 1 December 2023. This order, which remains in effect pending the Court’s final judgment, instructed Venezuela to refrain from any actions that could alter the current situation in the disputed area, where Guyana continues to exercise control and administration.
Furthermore, the Secretary-General highlighted the unanimous support expressed by Commonwealth Heads of Government during their October 2024 meeting in Apia, Samoa. The Leaders reiterated their full backing for the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the dispute and emphasised their commitment to upholding Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In conclusion, Secretary-General Scotland called on Venezuela to respect international law and refrain from any further actions that could destabilise the peace and security of the Caribbean region. She reiterated President Ali’s request, made on 1 March 2025, for Venezuela to respect and honour Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Commonwealth’s unwavering support for Guyana has been evident in multiple statements, including those made on 6 April 2024, 1 November 2023, and 1 December 2023, as well as the 3 September 2024 Outcome Statement from the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG). The Commonwealth remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Guyana’s territorial claims and diplomatic efforts in resolving the dispute with Venezuela.
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