[Nation News] – The government of Venezuela is involved in new efforts to diffuse a new dispute with Guyana in relation to an earlier “presidential decree” recently issued in Caracas on sovereignty of territorial waters located in the Atlantic Ocean.
President Nicolas Maduro is expected make a statement of significance on the matter on Thursday, July 02 ahead of a likely visit to Barbados to coincide with the 36th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference at Hilton Barbados.
This pre-summit development in Caracas centres around a statement which is expected to be made tomorrow by President Maduro. It is intended to “clarify” the origin of an earlier presidential decree last month that unilaterally defined as part of Venezuela’s Atlantic Coast what has long been recognised as Guyana’s sovereign territory in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to informed sources linked to officialdom in Caracas, it seems that the original draft decree was intended for “internal official briefing” prior to being issued for public attention in Venezuela and internationally.
Surprisingly, however, it was made public in its original format as an official “presidential decree”.
President Maduro had attended previous meetings of CARICOM which is now a member of the wider Community of Caribbean and Central American states (CELAC).
While in Barbados, President Maduro is expected to engage in bilateral talks with Guyana’s new President, David Granger, who arrived today, as well as with Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, current chairman of CARICOM.
There are CARICOM leaders who are also keen on discussing with President Maduro the need for improved official relations between Washington and Caracas in the wider interest in hemispheric peace and development.
This is all a good sign from our Venezuelan neighbours. Time to put this “dispute” to rest once and for all time. Because nothing is going to change in the known borders and demarcated zones offshore. Nothing.