Granger warns the world about tensions with Venezuela

Guyanese President David Granger at the 72ste General Assembly of the United Nations warned the world about the consequences of the border dispute with Venezuela. Neighboring Venezuela is reportedly claiming two thirds of Guyana’s territory which according to Granger is putting peace in the region at risk. The countries of the Caribbean and Latin America have often declared the region a zone of peace but Granger warned that this would no longer be the case if the internal problems with Venezuela are not resolved and if Venezuela’s aggressive attitude in the border dispute with Guyana is not addressed. The Guyanese president mentioned the border dispute with Venezuela for at least 4 minutes while his entire speech lasted about fifteen minutes. “It is the wish of the Caribbean community to maintain the Caribbean region as a peace zone. The Venezuelan claim in the Guyanese territorial integrity is posing a threat to that zone. Venezuela is four times as big as Guyana but it is still claiming two thirds of Guyana’s territory including the maritime space,” said Granger as he addressed other world leaders at the general debate of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly. Referring to the oil reserves that were found recently, President Granger emphasized that Guyana needs the natural resources of its sea territory in order to boost development. “We need it to free our people from poverty.” The border dispute has already been presented to UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres. If no solution is found by the end of this year, Guyana will most likely present its case to an international court of justice. Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, last week disclosed that Guyana intends to press the United Nations, during the 72nd General Assembly, to move forward with the aim of bringing an end to the ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela. Greenidge also said Guyana remains interested in the matter being referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).