CARICOM helped Guyana avoid ‘difficult situation’ with Venezuela, Haiti now needs help – President Ali

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) helped to smooth tensions between Guyana and Venezuela last year and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali says that situation demonstrates how the bloc can similarly support Haiti.

Many feared Venezuela would use military force to annex two-thirds of Guyana’s territory – the entire Essequibo region- after the Spanish-speaking nation held a referendum in December.

However, a peace deal – the Argyle Declaration– was brokered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines later in December following the intervention of CARICOM, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“I also would like to thank all the members of this community led by Prime Minister (of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) Ralph Gonsalves for your tremendous work in St. Vincent, in avoiding a very difficult situation for Guyana in ensuring the peace and stability of this region,” President Ali said on Monday.

Guyana is still moving ahead with the substantive border controversy case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It hopes for a full, final and binding judgement that the border between the two states was settled after the 1899 Arbitral Award and a reaffirmation that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana.

Dr. Ali, who is also the CARICOM Chairman and is hosting a meeting of Heads of Government in Georgetown this week, also said the region must trust that CARICOM can similarly resolve the crisis in Haiti.

“(The success of the St. Vincent meeting) speaks to one important subject and that is, when we trust each other in the region to find solutions among ourselves.

“In the situation with Haiti, this is important, we must trust the collective leadership of CARICOM and the wisdom of CARICOM,” the CARICOM Chairman said.

On Sunday, President Ali said anything that impedes rescuing the country from its humanitarian, political and security crisis must be removed.

There has been strong opposition to Prime Minister Ariel Henry, with his citizens calling for him to step down. On Sunday morning, CARICOM leaders met with Henry in Georgetown.

President Ali further said CARICOM is committed to Haiti, adding that the people of Haiti must realise their full potential in peace, security and with good governance.

The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti have increased since the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse in July, 2021. Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize are among the CARICOM countries that have agreed to back a United Nations force, led by Kenya to fight gang violence in Haiti.