The People’s Power Ministry for Foreign Relations would like to inform that, on January 25th, the Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Relations, Jorge Arreaza, held a videoconference with his counterpart, Miniter for Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Hugh Tood. The meeting addressed the legitimate custody activity by the Bolivarian National Navy, which resulted in the interception of two Guyanese vessels, named “Nady Nayera” and “Sea Wolf” and the consequent detention of the crew members.
In this videoconference, the Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Relations conveyed to the Guyanese Minister the concerns of Venezuela regarding the handling of the case by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana, even showing them the evidence and location coordinates that proved that the vessels were carrying out illegal fishing in the jurisdictional waters of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
In the same spirit, Minister Jorge Arreaza delivered today a Note of Protest to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Robert McKenzie, in rejection of the Guyanese defamations and accusations following the unauthorized incursion of these vessels.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ratifies its rejection of the false accusations and misrepresentations expressed by the Guyanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, considering that they are not based on good faith, while qualifying as inadmissible the claim of Guyana to call said territory its “Exclusive Economic Zone and continental platform”. Venezuela will continue to protect its jurisdictional waters in safeguard of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Venezuela, in adherence to the principles of International Law, reaffirms its willingness to engage in sincere dialogue to jointly address any situation that could affect regional peace and stability. In this sense, it reiterates its interest in maintaining relations of respect, communication and cooperation with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Caracas, january 26th, 2021