Guyana dispatches note of protest to Venezuela over continued detention of Guyanese crew, vessels

With 12 Guyanese fishermen and their two vessels detained in Venezuela for the last four days despite calls from the Guyana Government for their release, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd has dispatched a note of protest to Venezuela authorities.

On Monday, Todd called in the Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Mr. Moses Chavez to transfer the protest note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela.

The protest note firmly condemns the illegal detention of the captains and crews of the Guyanese registered fishing vessels, the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf and calls for their immediate release.

Minister Todd used the opportunity to voice his concerns on the matter.

“The action coming out of Caracas is distasteful,” he said.

The Minister added that based on latitude and longitude, the two vessels were well within Guyana’s territory.”

The Foreign Minister highlighted the regional zone of peace and called for Venezuela to operate in a manner consistent with international rule of law.

He reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the International Court of Justice as a means of bringing to a close the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

Additionally, Todd is expected to meet later today with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza, Minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

During the virtual meeting, the two sides are expected to discuss the status of the Guyanese registered fishing vessels

The Foreign Minister of Guyana will confine his discussion with the Foreign Minister of Venezuela specifically to the welfare and release of the crew, their catch, and vessels, A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

On Thursday, January 21, 2021, the two vessels were intercepted by Venezuelan naval vessel Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, while operating off the coast of Waini Point at a position of N 80 49’ 06”/ w 590 37’ 40” W. The Government of Guyana is using all diplomatic channels to ensure the safe return of the crew and vessels to Guyana