President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday said neither Venezuela nor any other country has to fear any aggression from Guyana, particularly as the country pursues bonafide partnerships with foreign partners.
The Guyanese Head of State, in an invited comment, reiterated that Guyana has no ambitions or intentions to covet any other country’s territory.
“We are fully committed to peaceful relations with our neighbours and all countries in our Region.
“Guyana remains fully steadfast in promoting and advancing peace whilst pursuing national development,” Dr. Ali said.
Earlier Thursday, Venezuela raised concerns about an incoming British offshore patrol vessel. Guyana’s Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at his weekly press conference said Guyana has no plans to take “offensive action” and that joint engagements with the British were planned long ago.
President Ali echoes similar sentiments.
“Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states aimed at enhancing internal security.
“These partnerships pose a threat to no one and are in no way intended to be aggressive or constitute an offensive act against any State,” he said.
He also offered his best wishes to the people of Venezuela and emphasised that they have nothing to fear from activities within Guyana’s sovereign territory or waters.
The two countries have an ongoing border controversy that is squarely before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, Guyana and Venezuela recently committed to the Argyle Declaration, a joint pronouncement issued by Guyana and Venezuela following a meeting of Presidents Dr Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro recently in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Significantly, they agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.
