Staff Writer
Venezuela.
That’s the warning issued to CARICOM members by the government of Guyana when accepting monetary aid from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
In issuing the warning to St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Carl Greening outlined his reasons for the warning when he spoke to reporters at the recent Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Meeting in St. Kitts.
While it is fine for CARICOM members to have bilateral ties with nations like Venezuela, they should beware of the long-term effects of such agreements.
Mr. Greening said it is a nation’s right and even responsibility to improve their cooperation with the international community including Venezuela, it is imperative not to let short-term financial problems blind them to the dangers of the longer term.
He expressed concerned that Venezuela’s financial blandishments are causing that country to make inroads into the CAROM region by positioning its Naval forces in the Caribbean sea. This movement of troops has caused Venezuela to receive heavy criticism, he added. He said Guyana has had a longstanding border dispute with Venezuela and accused the country of giving gifts in order to buy its way into many CARICOM countries.
After last year’s elections, political leaders in the Federation approached the Venezuelan government for assistance to clear up funds owned to sugar workers when the industry collapsed.
A controversy erupted over what currency the $16 million was in –E.C. or the U.S. dollar. A report carried by the Venezuelan network Telesur Television said it was U.S. $16 million that was donated to assist the sugar workers.
Political pundits have questioned the move by Venezuela, noting the country is currently suffering an economic crisis. Greening said two decrees made by the Nicolas maduro-led nation would impact not only Guyana but St. Kitts, nevis and other surrounding territories.
“Venezuela is laying claims and telling its navy by force to exclude non-Venezuelans from the exclusive economic zone of those territories, running all the way from St. Kitts and Nevis to Grenada, Guyana and Suriname,” he warned. “The Caribbean countries have no option unless they are going to sit by and allow Venezuela to invade their territories.”
He said the Caribbean countries have asked their experts in the Law of the Sea and Maritime Space to examine the matter, which they did, and concluded this is ‘an illegal act perpetrated by the Venezuelans.’
He also stated that the longstanding international representative for his country has declared that the region has the full support of the Commonwealth on this matter.
