A rallying call has gone out from two international relations experts to stand by Guyana in its border dispute with Venezuela.
At a Forum held on Monday at the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies, Director of the Centre of International Border Issues, Dr. Raymond Kirton, labelled Venezuelan forces injuring six Guyana soldiers as presumptuous.
“These actions by Venezuela must receive full and total condemnation from brother and sister CARICOM States, who must be in the forefront of the effort to clearly advocate for sustained international action in the face of this existential threat to Guyana’s sovereignty. There has to be, in a sense, full agreement to support Guyana in this issue by Caribbean states.”
He also called on other Caribbean and South American countries to work for peace in the region.
“Guyana must also now engage regional groupings, such as the Caribbean Media Workers Group, CAMWORK, the regional universities, and the groups and institutions, churches, mosques, temples, and civil society in sensitising the regional populace on this issue and promote greater understanding of the threat faced by its sister State. Additionally, the Association of Caribbean States and the OAS must also be engaged in the regional effort, especially in the context of the view that the region must continue to be a zone of peace.”
Advisor on Borders at the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, noted that many countries have border issues, but Venezuela alone is moving unilaterally to deal with the matter.
“But there’s a methodology that can be used until such time as a land boundary is agreed and many countries do it. There are rules. When you decide to do anything such as drill within these two lines, you are required to ensure that the drilling on the undefined boundary doesn’t come within 140 miles. There are rules like that.”
He said that Guyana lives within the rules, arguing that Venezuela’s use of military force is unjustified. Dr. Greenidge said it’s inappropriate and dangerous, especially where any country is entitled to safeguard assets in its economic zone.