St. Vincent & the Grenadines PM Visits Venezuela for Talks with President Maduro Amid Essequibo Dispute with Guyana

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, has arrived in Venezuela for talks with President Nicolás Maduro amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the disputed Essequibo region.

Gonsalves, acting as an intermediary under the December 2023 Argyle Agreement, is meeting Maduro later today. Earlier, he held discussions with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, urging both parties to de-escalate and resume diplomatic efforts.

Gonsalves emphasized the need to avoid open conflict, which could destabilize the region and lead to humanitarian issues.

The conflict escalated earlier this month when Guyana raised concerns about a Venezuelan naval vessel near its oil assets. In response, Venezuela dismissed President Ali’s remarks as false.

Both countries are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the land boundary, with Guyana seeking a ruling on its validity.

Guyana recently requested the ICJ block Venezuela from conducting electoral activities in the Essequibo region, pending the border dispute’s resolution. Venezuela plans to hold elections in the region, which it claims as part of its territory.