Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, affirmed that Venezuelan military actions in Guyana’s maritime area, particularly concerning FPSO platforms, are under Guyana’s jurisdiction. He emphasized the need for peace and dialogue via the Argyle Declaration in response to recent tensions, recognizing the risk of conflict and the involvement of the international community in stabilizing the situation.
Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, asserted that Venezuela’s recent naval incursion into Guyana’s maritime territory, specifically its interactions with Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) platforms, clearly falls under Guyana’s jurisdiction. Gonsalves, the primary interlocutor of the Argyle Declaration—a peace treaty between Guyana and Venezuela—conveyed his views during an NBC Radio interview.
The Argyle Declaration serves to manage the ongoing border conflict between Guyana and Venezuela, and Gonsalves indicated that while peace is the goal, challenges may still arise post the International Court of Justice (ICJ) final judgment. He reflected on President Irfaan Ali’s report regarding Venezuelan forces entering Guyana’s waters, emphasizing that such interactions with the FPSO platforms are significant for oil exploration and fall under Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Gonsalves stated that activating the Argyle Declaration was an urgent response to the recent events. He noted, “Our Argyle Declaration had to be activated. It’s the mechanism that was put in place to ensure peace during such incidents.” He highlighted the necessity for maintaining dialogue to prevent escalation to conflict, recognizing that differing perspectives between Guyana and Venezuela must be managed carefully.
Diplomatic efforts have also involved the United States and the United Kingdom, whose interests in the region are affected by their companies in Guyana. Gonsalves raised concern over potential military conflict, stating, “Anything can happen in a situation like this. Tensions could spiral out of control, leading to a full-scale military operation.” He emphasized the importance of acting promptly to avoid such a crisis.
Expressing a deep commitment to the peace process, Gonsalves remarked on his serious responsibilities under the Argyle Declaration and the necessity of maintaining a balance between the nations. Although he acknowledged persistent tensions may remain post-ICJ judgment, he remains optimistic about continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent crises.
Gonsalves reinforced that the Argyle Declaration serves not merely as a formality, but as a vital tool for peace, asserting, “Peace must always come first, especially in matters of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He stressed the significant role of the international community in fostering peace in the region.
Ralph Gonsalves has firmly stated that Venezuelan actions within Guyana’s maritime territory are violations of jurisdiction. Through the activation of the Argyle Declaration, which aims to maintain peace amid tensions, leadership and diplomatic efforts are crucial in preventing escalation. Gonsalves’ commitment to mediating peace emphasizes the importance of dialogue and the role of external partners, underscoring a hope for continued stability despite the complexities of the situation.
Original Source: newsroom.gy
