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Guyana’s ambassador to Venezuela to be replaced
The Opposition has warned Government to think twice about recalling its ambassador to Venezuela, Geoffrey da Silva.
According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, the Government will announce a new person for that position within three or four weeks.
Being recalled: Ambassador Geoffrey da Silva
The minister was responding to questions from the Opposition on Monday evening during the considerations of 2015 National Budget.
But Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, herself a former acting Foreign Minister, warned that Da Silva’s recall might not be such a good idea, as there is no telling when Venezuela is likely to issue its agrément or approval of the person who has been chosen.
A delay of that agrément is likely to have trade and other repercussions.
The Opposition was at the time querying a $97M allocation for Local Travel and Subsistence. Last year that figure was $20.8M.
Greenidge explained that under arrangements for its diplomats, Government would stand the expense of returning the personal belongings of the persons.
Additionally, the new Government is currently carrying out an assessment of the operations of its overseas embassies, hence the jump in expenditure this year.
The Venezuela ambassador would have been one of the toughest for the Foreign Affairs ministry, especially in light of the controversy that sparked by that neighbouring country’s claims on Guyana.
Bilateral relations between the two countries took a turn for the worse after US-owned ExxonMobil announced in May that it had found oil in a concession offshore Guyana.
Venezuela claimed that the waters belong to that nation, a claim that Guyana is vehemently denying.
With Guyana also involved in a lucrative oil-for-rice deal with Venezuela, and da Silva playing a critical role in the arrangements, his recall would take even more significance.
The ambassador was a former Minister under the PPP.
This year, Guyana is facing a number increasing challenges, especially when it pertains to border issues, Greenidge explained to the House.
Almost $4B has been allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to help Guyana defend itself on international scene against Venezuela’s claims among other things.
Of the sum allocated to the Ministry, $2.6B covers foreign policy promotion.
He explained that emphasis will be placed on postings in key areas including Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and Latin America, as part of developing deeper relationship.
Allocations were also made for the upkeep of various embassies and missions abroad.
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