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PM Gonsalves meets with Maduro amid increased provocation by Venezuela
Kaieteur News- In a statement on Tuesday, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announced that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has left to meet with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Spanish speaking nation.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves
The SVG government’s statement notes that PM Gonsalves’ visit is in relation to increased tension between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. “The Prime Minister is reminding both leaders of the Argyle Declaration, of which they signed unto in December 2023, with himself acting as an interlocutor. The Prime Minister spoke with President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday, urging calm and restraint and for both parties to return to diplomacy,” SVG statement noted.
Notably, it was further stated that Dr. Gonsalves also cautioned that an escalation into open conflict could devastate both nations economically and socially, and destabilized the entire Latin America and Caribbean region, potentially leaving a humanitarian and refugee crisis. To this end, he advised both parties to resolve the matter so it does not lead to any open conflict.
Notably, Venezuela has long claimed more than two-thirds of Guyana (the Essequibo region). As a result, Guyana had approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle the border controversy. The case remains pending before the court.
PM Gonsalves’ meeting with Maduro follows the March 1, 2025 incident, where a Venezuelan armed vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), Prosperity, which operates in the oil-rich Stabroek Block. It was reported that the Venezuelan vessel radioed the FPSO, claiming it was operating in “disputed international waters” before continuing toward other FPSOs in the block.
Notably, the Argyle Declaration was signed at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) on Thursday, December 14th, 2023, between President Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro. The leaders had then reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace.
Notably, up to press time, there has been no update on the meeting.
(PM Gonsalves meets with Maduro amid increased provocation by Venezuela)
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