President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has firmly rejected any dialogue with Venezuela while it continues to breach the Argyle Declaration, stating that he would not be ‘bullied’ into talks.
Speaking to the media Saturday last, President Ali responded to reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had requested dialogue under the Argyle Agreement.
On 1 March 2025, at approximately 0700 hours, Venezuelan Naval Vessel ABV Guaiqueiri PO-11-IMO 469552 sailed approximately 700 metres in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone near FPSO PROSPERITY, which was operating lawfully under a license issued by the Government of Guyana. The Venezuelan naval vessel communicated threateningly via radio communication that FPSO PROSPERITY was operating in Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone, before continuing in a Southwestern direction towards other FPSOs, to which it delivered the same message.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has echoed the alarm of Dr Irfaan Ali, the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, after a coast guard vessel from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela entered the waters of Guyana on 1 March 2025.
Earlier today, 1 March 2025, CARICOM was informed by the President of Guyana, H.E. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, of the interaction of Venezuela’s military vessels with one of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms in Guyana’s maritime territory.
All such acts of aggression and provocation are contrary to international law and the 2023 Argyle Declaration.
Expressly too Guyana and Venezuela are enjoined to avoid unnecessary confrontational actions.
The Government of Guyana strongly condemns the invasion by Venezuelan armed patrol ships into its exclusive waters and has instituted diplomatic, legal and security measures to respond to the situation.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday delivered a firm statement sitting alongside Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan.
CARICOM Heads at their February 19 to 21st summit have expressed grave concerns over Venezuela’s stated plans to conduct elections in Guyana’s county of Essequibo.
In their Communique issued today, they urged Venezuela not to attempt to carry out elections, or to intrude in any other way, in Guyana’s sovereign territory.
The Heads also condemned an attack on February 17th on Guyana Defence Force soldiers by armed men from Venezuela.
The statement by the Heads follows:
Guyana / Venezuela
