The Commonwealth Secretary-General urged Venezuela to respect Guyana’s sovereignty after a Venezuelan coast guard vessel entered Guyanese waters on March 1, 2025. President Irfaan Ali emphasized the need for recognition of Guyana’s territorial integrity. Patricia Scotland remarked on the incident’s contradiction to previous agreements and called for respect for international law, commending Guyana’s restrained approach to the situation.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC has publicly urged Venezuela to acknowledge and respect the sovereignty of Guyana following an incident on March 1, 2025, wherein a Venezuelan coast guard vessel unlawfully entered Guyanese waters. This intrusion prompted President Irfaan Ali to assert that the vessel approached legal operations while erroneously claiming their presence in “disputed international waters.” He firmly called for the recognition of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In her remarks, Patricia Scotland emphasized that this incident is contrary to the spirit of prior agreements and reiterated the necessity for Venezuela to comply with international law in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling from 2023. She commended Guyana’s measured response, noting it demonstrated significant “restraint and responsibility.”
Furthermore, Scotland urged Venezuela to abstain from engaging in activities that could jeopardize the peace and stability of the Caribbean region. She expressed her concerns regarding the implications of such actions on regional harmony and security.
In summary, the Commonwealth Secretary-General strongly advocates for Venezuela’s respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, following a provocative maritime incident. With a call for adherence to international law and the ICJ ruling, Patricia Scotland emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability within the Caribbean region. Guyana’s responsible response has been praised as a model of restraint amid challenging circumstances.
Original Source: www.guardian.co.tt
