The Foreign Minister of Guyana warned that if President Nicolás Maduro does not reduce rising tensions with Guyana, Venezuela could face being isolated by the international community. This comes before a significant meeting between the two nations.
Hugh Todd, prior to the summit in St Vincent on Thursday, stated that we have observed in the past the consequences that befall nation states when they choose to pursue independent paths. Typically, this leads to significant setbacks for the country spanning several decades.
The president of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will meet with Maduro and representatives from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and Brazil in an effort to persuade the Venezuelan president to stop using aggressive language regarding the disputed Essequibo region.
Venezuela has laid claim to the oil-rich swath of rainforest which has made up two-thirds of Guyana since the 19th century but Maduro has upped the stakes in recent months.
During a recent referendum, Maduro stated that the Venezuelan citizens supported the decision to reject the current arbitration process in the international court of justice and transform a 160,000 sq km area of rainforest into a new state within Venezuela.
After the vote, Maduro presented a modified map of Venezuela on national television and declared that he would grant Venezuelan citizenship to the residents of the region, causing concerns that he intends to seize control of the land.
In reply, the United States conducted military flyovers in Guyana while Ali restated that all possible actions are being considered.
During a summit in the region last week, countries from South America urged for communication between the two nations to ease tensions within the area.
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St Vincent and leader of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), emphasized the pressing necessity to decrease tension and initiate a productive conversation.
While there is a collaborative effort in the region to avoid conflict, there does not seem to be a clear solution to the diplomatic dispute.
Before the meeting, Maduro stated that relying on international courts to settle the territorial dispute was not feasible and it could lead to a worsening of the situation. However, Guyanese officials remain firm in their belief that The Hague is the appropriate forum for resolving the issue.
Todd stated that there will be absolutely no negotiation. He emphasized that there will be zero negotiations. He believes that the ICJ will ultimately resolve this issue.
Maduro’s actions are largely perceived as a means to garner domestic support in preparation for next year’s presidential elections.
According to Todd, giving Maduro an incentive as a response to his aggressive behavior was not a viable choice because it would only promote further acts of war.
Our stance remains that President Maduro must adhere to international laws and regulations, as this is not a situation where both parties can compromise for a mutually beneficial outcome. It is clear that he is disregarding these laws and it is crucial for him to rectify this in order to move forward.
The value that President Maduro brings to the region is more important than what the region can offer him.
Leaders from surrounding areas will aim to remind Maduro that if his government continues to show signs of wanting to invade, the country will face diplomatic isolation, leading to worsened economic conditions.
In the last ten years, 7.3 million people have been forced to leave Venezuela due to economic mismanagement, widespread corruption, and the impact of economic sanctions.
According to Todd, if President Maduro persists in behaving as an autocratic leader who disregards both domestic and global laws, he will alienate himself from the political and economic systems, which would have negative consequences for his country.
No nation would view Maduro as credible. His behavior is consistently denounced, and he is unable to involve his country in global politics and economics. It’s a straightforward matter.
Todd emphasized that the situation at hand concerns Maduro and the citizens of Venezuela, rather than just Guyana and the global community. He urged Maduro to prioritize the well-being of his people and the surrounding region, suggesting a complete change in his current actions.
Source: theguardian.com
