CARICOM disagrees with Venezuela in Guyana border dispute

CARICOM Heads in Barbados last week
CARICOM Heads in Barbados last week

CARICOM Heads of Government are expressing “grave concerns” over a decree issued by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which claims ownership and sovereignty over waters off the Essequibo region which is being claimed by Guyana as territorial waters.

The Heads also called on Venezuela to withdraw elements of the decree as it applies to the territory of a CARICOM member state, adding that CARICOM does not accept unilateral proclamation which is inconsistent with international law.

Decree 1787 was issued by Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, last month. A map was also produced which indicates that Venezuela is now claiming all the territorial waters within the 200 miles range and blocking Guyana’s access to territorial waters and resources in the area of the Atlantic Ocean and the Essequibo region.

This is the second decree that the Venezuelans have issued expressing a claim to Guyana’s territorial waters.

The first, was issued by President Raul Leoni in July 1968, who claimed rule over a 12-mile strip continental shelf along the Essequibo coast.

But CARICOM Heads have issued a statement on the matter following a meeting in Barbados last week.

The statement voiced “grave concerns” while at the same time reaffirming the “long standing, deep and wide-ranging friendship” along with the countless agreements between Venezuela and CARICOM member states.

The statement mentioned that just under a year ago, on 8th September 2014, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, in his capacity as Chairman of Conference, had written to Maduro, encouraging Venezuela to “redouble its efforts at an early delimitation of the maritime boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.”

Browne had also encouraged Venezuela to assist in the finding of an early solution to the controversy that has emerged from the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 3rd October 1899 that established the boundary with Guyana, is “null and void.”

“In that context, Heads of Government reaffirmed the inviolability of international treaties, agreements, awards and legal instruments and made particular reference to those international legally binding instruments that establish international boundaries, and the negative implications of the decree for several other CARICOM countries,” the statement said.

The CARICOM heads called for adherence to accepted principles of international law in relation to the delineation and delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf in the region.

“CARICOM states do not accept any unilateral proclamation which is inconsistent with international law,” the statement said, emphasizing that CARICOM states have legitimate territorial and maritime entitlements that conform to international law and that must be respected.

The statement continues, “As a result of these concerns and in an effort to have the rights and entitlements of the affected Community Member States fully respected, a delegation of Heads met with the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Venezuela to express the “Community’s grave concern about Decree 1787.”

The Heads of Government called upon the Government of Venezuela, “in the spirit of friendship and cooperation, to withdraw those elements of Decree 1787 insofar as they apply to the territory and maritime space of CARICOM States.”

The Barbados TODAY has revealed that Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, and his Vincentian counterpart, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, will mediate the row as CARICOM leaders attempt to resolve the issue.

Map issued by Venezuela on the matter
Map issued by Venezuela on the matter

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37 Comments

  1. too late
    July 7, 2015

    Skerrit: All you expect me to go against my daddy Chavez and uncle maduro country? All you doh see how much I cry when my daddy die?

  2. Dr. Sam Christian
    July 7, 2015

    We have wonderful Venezuelan friends in Dominica and enjoy excellent fraternal relations with Caracas. And we are truly grateful.

    However, Guyana should not panic. We’ve been there before, even though such disagreements do not foster an atmosphere conducive for exploration and investment. Caricom remains confident that the Law of the Sea and the resolve of the international community will ensure that reason prevails in due season.

    • Shameless
      July 7, 2015

      Doc come on, all you did was ramble without stating anything meaningful. That is one of your weakest, most elusive posting yet. You should have just remained silent. In other words, you have said nothing :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

      Assertive, NOT Aggressive! 8)

    • Ma Moses
      July 7, 2015

      Doctor Sam, please if you have to say anything be specific and don’t sit on the wall like humpty dumpty. Why can’t you spell out that you either support Guyana’s or Venezuela’s claim. You said exactly nothing.

    • July 8, 2015

      Patience is not the way to deal with the aggression of Maduro’s regime. He desperately needs to distract the Venezuelan people from how socialism has impoverished them and run their economy into the ground, and history shows that dictators often invent foreign enemies for this purpose.

  3. Shaka zulu
    July 7, 2015

    As I have said here before we are pawn in the games of world Domination. It was the late Hugo Chavez who wanted to form the new world order to counter the weight of the US in the west. To do that he used gifts of oil and money even while his people were hungry. The ugly snake is just showing its face. Our dear PM and the other idiot from St. Vincent have no chips to negotiate or mediate. Attempts are only to save the welfare diplomacy we have been enjoying and they will only be looking out for handouts and not the interest of Caricom. That’s what happens when sound principles are compromised. This is an ugly situation to be in for we have sold our soul to the devil. You cannot negotiate with a wild dog when it is backed up in a corner.
    SSU and RSS better start running military drills with the US Navy. That’s the only way to calm uncle Veny

  4. July 6, 2015

    Maduro is Mad trying to use war as a distraction for his people, so they will not focus on his failures. They. must stop that land grabbing habit. They tief Bird Island now they want to tief Guyanese Land . The War Mongers.

  5. Aware
    July 6, 2015

    Are the other leaders of the countries of CARICOM aware of Skerritt’s bad governance?

    Isn’t CARICOM aware that, as observers to DA’s general election since 2005, Electoral Reforms ,i.e. Voter ID cards and to change the bloated Voters’ list were recommended? Legislation regarding Campaign financing was also talked about,. Gov’t has shown reluctance to carry out Electoral Reforms. The Electoral Commission is heavily influenced by political operatives of the cabal.

    Isn’t CARICOM aware of all those corrupt practices, handing diplomatic passports to whoever? Crooks in trouble with the law have our passports? Rudolph King, where is he with our diplomatic passport? What about the Italian, who was wanted by Italian police for fraud, the so- called Ambassador to FAO, with our diplomatic passport? Susan Olde and the US$million given, in return for diplomatic passport? CLICO boss fraud, he too.

    Too many corrupt acts, racketeering, firebombings, etc.. Is CARICOM…

  6. Rol
    July 6, 2015

    Mad-uro making a wrong move, uncle Sam watching him close to justify a reason to hit him. He just start, soon he coming with a map around Bird island and all the waters in front of Portsmouth gone to Venezuela

    • Shameless
      July 6, 2015

      Tell them again Rol. When Stealth Bombers of the ONLY super power in the world flies over caracas I can assure you they will not be dropping candies, sanitary napkins or toilet paper 8) . Maduro better behave himself before its too late because St. Vincent and Dominica’ SSU eh enough to help him. Just remember Noriega bragged more than him but eventually the US had enough and found the way to get him.

      Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

    • July 8, 2015

      There’s no political will whatsoever in the Obama administration for armed conflict with Maduro’s regime, particularly when that would disrupt the all-important flow of oil.

  7. truth
    July 6, 2015

    shame on caricom ,
    you mean a young uneducated guy like skeritt ,who the opposition leadew for years now ,have been begging to engage in a debate ,and he.s been shying ,and running away ,afraid to be belittled by the educator L,LINTON ,which he skeritt claim,didnt take schooling,,he cannot stand and prove himself with linton ,then ,How is he going to stand with the mad man of venezuela ,is this a trick ?caricom leaders?
    But just tell this mad man ,when america begin to hunt him ,he better not come here to hide ,because we here in dominica will be looking out for him too,to hand him over to the U S ,he and his co , sKERITT

  8. silversliver
    July 6, 2015

    Venezuela has always had expansionist tendencies! They claim that the Queen of Spain had given Isla de Las Aves (Bird Island) to her hiers. That may have been so, but the venezuelans know damn well that the island that was given is the Islas de las Aves, which is located just off the coast of Venezuela and Guyana, and not the one off Dominica! They have taken advantage of the lack of care by the british to lay claim to that which does not belong to them so that they can expand their maritime boundaries!

  9. Gordon
    July 6, 2015

    Dominica never owned Bird Island. The Island (rock) is far from Dominica’s territorial waters. In addition, though Bird Island is closer to Dominica than it is to Venezuela, Dominica is not the closest “main land” to it. The closest “main land” to Bird Island is Monserrat. Venezuela has been claiming and making official visits to Bird Island since the 1800’s. Whereas, for some reason, Great Britain who were the colonial power of both Monserrat and Dominica, and is still the colonial power of Monserrat never made any known attempt to claim the island. Only after Dominica gained independence from its colonial power did some of its leaders began making claims to the Island as they see it as some opportunity. So 1.Bird Island is far from our territorial waters, 2.we are not the closest to it, and 3.for well over a hundred years, when we were not in the picture, Venezuela has been claiming and making official visits to the Island. So on what grounds would our claim on Bird Isl succeeded?

    • not a herd follower
      July 6, 2015

      For your information, it is in our EEZ as defined by international law. Why do we think Venezuela has not ratified the Convention on the International Law of the Sea?

  10. Grand Bay Mon sorti
    July 6, 2015

    Skerritt you were happy to talk about the injustices that Haitians are going through in the Dominican Republic. Now let us know where you stand? Is it a matter that you don’t want to bite the hand that feeds you? You didn’t wait for CARICOM to take a stand on the Dominican Republic issue. Why are you keeping your damn mouth shut on the Guyana/Venezuela tension?

    • Shameless
      July 6, 2015

      He afraid because the chicken may come home to roost :twisted: :twisted:

      Assertive, NOT Aggressive!

    • D'accord
      July 7, 2015

      D’accord. Well said partner!

  11. IluvmyPm
    July 6, 2015

    Guyana is not weak Dominica and will fight for there waters
    look at the traitor smile after Rosie fight for bird island

  12. alas
    July 6, 2015

    Skerrit! !!
    Speak boldly!
    Speak now!
    But where de PM hiding nuh???

  13. sws
    July 6, 2015

    Must say growing up aways hearing dominica own bird island
    can some one please come out with some evidence to show just that that in it self will make you a very wise person .or please can some one guide me to how or where I may find this evidence thanks

    • Gordon
      July 6, 2015

      Dominica never owned Bird Island. The Island (rock) is not in Dominica’s territorial waters. In addition, though Bird Island is closer to Dominica than it is to Venezuela, Dominica is not the closest “main land” to it. The closest “main land” to Bird Island is Monserrat. Venezuela has been claiming and making official visits to Bird Island since the 1800’s. Whereas, for some reason, Great Britain who were the colonial power of both Monserrat and Dominica, and is still the colonial power of Monserrat (the closest “main land” to Bird Island) never made any known attempt to claim the island. Only after Dominica gained independence from its colonial power did some of its leaders began making claims to the Bird Island as they see it as some opportunity. However, Dominica only had a very, very slim chance of a successful claim on Bird Island.

  14. Anthony Ismael
    July 6, 2015

    As the Trade Winds said in their song years ago, “Not one Blade of Grass.”

  15. Me
    July 6, 2015

    Mr. Skerrit will mediate in the row? The man who gave away Bird island to Venezuela? You all must be joking of course. What is there to mediate anyway if all agree that international law must be observed. At least, they should select neutral mediators and not someone that owes a lot of money to Venezuela. Guyana better watch out.

    • Sunday Islander
      July 6, 2015

      Our British Colonial Masters gave Bird Island to Venezuela about 2oo hundred ago . Where was Skerrit?

      • Titiwi
        July 6, 2015

        Nonsense, Venezuela did not gain independence from Spain till 1821. Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807 and Venezuela did not finally abolish slavery till 1854 and then only to stop black people being recruited as rebels with the promise of freedom.
        I challenge Skerrit to swear on oath that he did not give up our claim to Bird island for reward.

    • DAs
      July 6, 2015

      Umm i think you have it wrong. it was Eugenia Charles “MAMO” who gave bird island away not Skerrit.
      Know your history..

  16. AA
    July 6, 2015

    What nonsense is that, what weak ………statement is that? is this a compromise statement coming from these weak Caribbean leaders? Are they protecting the petrocarib corruption monies?

    The government of Guyana clearly can see now that they can’t depend on this caricom institution to have their back in this situation. They need to mount a high level delegation to move to Washington and have discussions with the president or have a high level delegation visit Guyana to put this mad man in his place. These petro leaders have been bought and is looking for their personal interest.

  17. source
    July 6, 2015

    Skerrit moo moo on the matter lol

  18. Anansi
    July 6, 2015

    What is happening to my peaceful Caribbean? First Haiti and Dominica, then Venezuela and Guyana :cry: I more see the move by Maduro as a sort of “Wag the Dog.” On the other hand, the Hon Prime Minister should be scratching his head in a decision of allegiance.

  19. Shameless
    July 6, 2015

    Six from the left, back row is whom it is \”alleged\” is the richest head of state in CARICOM. It is also \”alleged\” that some of this wealth may have come from Venezuela for unknown reasons but the said \”allegations\” and those making it constantly references Bird Islands, an Island belonging to mother country Dominica 8) .

    Skerro and his Vincy counter-part have been charged with mitigating the pending calamity that can have global implications for the region and obviously crazy Maduro will not have a job but rather a place to eat, sleep and plenty of time to think while in solitary confinement. However, I am at loss to comprehend why Skerro? He can\’t even negotiate with farmers over feeder road repairs in Bawi so how is he going to do that? I must admit that these CARICOM leaders are more daft than previously thought. I am hopeful that he will discuss the issue with the brains at Team Dominica and get some advise before he goes out there and make us look bad…

    • July 6, 2015

      @ shameless at what point in its history did Dominica own Bird Island? I would like to know as I have always been hearing it said,but not one shread of evidence has been published to support these claims.

      • fantastic4
        July 6, 2015

        If Dominica had no claim to Bird Island then why did Skerro agree to hand it over to his daddy, Hugo at a price? what amount did he get again? On what basis did Rossie Douglas (may his soul R.I.P) insist on Dominica’s right and ownership? maybe you should seek to find out he was your leader at one time. In whose territorial waters Bird island located Dominica or Venezuela? What other historical facts and evidence do you want in other to make a claim?? Please do not mention the null and void Treaty that Venezuela uses for ownership. The question is what right of claim Venezuela has over Dominica’s Bird Island right in its territorial waters; similarly what right of claim does Venezuela have over not only Guyana and but also Columbia’s ownership to their sovereign lands?

    • jay
      July 6, 2015

      it’s obvious that Skerrit and Gonzalves has ‘closer’ ties to Maduro and Venezuela by extension. So the other leaders are hoping those two, can bring this to closure, peacefully and in a manner that Guyana does not get the short end of the stick.

      • Titiwi
        July 6, 2015

        But garcon, that implies that there is something to negotiate! What do Skerrit and Gonsalves have to negotiate, to give away, on behalf of Guyana. I don’t trust that at all.

    • point
      July 6, 2015

      @Fantistic four, how could Skerro hand over bird Island to anyone when Dominica has never exercised control over Bird Island. If you read the history of bird island you will observe that the two main players in terms of laying claim to bird island were Venezuela and the Netherlands and that was back in the 19th century Dominica only came into the picture after independence. The USA and France have recognised Venezuela’s claim to bird Island for many years now. If Bird Island belonged to Dominica why did Patrick John not have the British call us Dominica and Bird Island and if our claim was so strong why did Eugenia, Edison and to a lesser extent Rosie remain silent on the isue.

  20. grell
    July 6, 2015

    The corrupt and incompetent leaders of the caribbean. :twisted:

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