AFC urges caution in proposed talks with Venezuela

The Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday urged caution in proposed talks between President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Observing that the meeting will be held in the context of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC), the AFC acknowledged the revelation that President Ali has ruled out any possibility of the border controversy being on the agenda of the meeting. The opposition party noted however the caption enclosed in the letter on the meeting sent to both the President of Guyana and the President of

Venezuela which clearly indicated: ‘...matters consequential to the border controversy’

In consideration of the foregoing, the AFC asked the following questions:

1. What is on the agenda for the meeting?

2. Is the meeting’s agenda approved? 3. If so, what are the agenda items? 4. Are the Venezuelans clear that the meeting will not include the border controversy?

‘Guyana has always, and must continue to, clothe herself in the armor of international law and international institutions, including the United Nations, regarding our territorial integrity. Any dangerous venture into bilateral discussions, which Venezuela has always sought to pressure Guyana into, tramples on decades of skilled diplomacy executed by successive Guyanese governments. Guyana has always and will continue to promote peace and stability in the region”, the party which is represented in Parliament on an APNU+AFC slate.

“The very existence of this meeting, outside of the halls of the (International Court of Justice), could constitute a victory for the coercive tactics of the Venezuelan regime.

“The above notwithstanding, we cannot ignore that the Maduro regime has held a Referendum to annex 2/3 of Guyana. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that in clear violation of the ICJ, Venezuela declared the Essequibo to be their territory as a new state. We cannot (ignore) the fact that President Maduro has issued seven orders and signed decrees that blatantly show no regard for our territorial integrity. And we will never forget that our country now mourns the loss of five fallen heroes who died in the line of duty to protect our territorial integrity”, the AFC lamented.

In consideration of the foregoing, the AFC said it wished to place on record that if there is no clear agenda that excludes the border controversy for the proposed meeting, there should be no meeting.

“The AFC stands firm and resolute in our position of a united front on the matter of our border integrity and we urge the Ali administration to cease making such crucial decisions without consultation. We note that the Ali administration continues with the folly of excluding the parliamentary opposition and other national stakeholders in the decision-making on a matter that touches and concerns every Guyanese, and cautions again, that this will not augur well for Guyana’s standing and response to Venezuela”, the party said.