The states of the Latin American and Caribbean integration bloc, in a statement released this Saturday, praised the leadership of the region through Celac and Caricom in the work to bring the parties together for an open conversation amid a scenario of tension over the Guiana Esequiba controversy. They pointed out that the dispute “is a product of the legacy of colonialism and whose most recent perpetrators continue to be imperialist and economic interests.”
The ALBA-TCP expressed its willingness to support the path of permanent dialogue, “the only way to achieve a mutually beneficial solution to the territorial dispute over Guiana Esequiba,” as set out in the Geneva Convention of 1966 and the principles of the international law is established.
He stressed that both were “strongly ratified by the parties following the historic meeting” held on December 14 in the town of Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
On Thursday, Maduro and Ali held a meeting in the capital San Vicente, sponsored by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the Community of Caribbean States (Caricom), as well as the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Secretary General the UN, António Guterres.
The South American leaders expressed their commitment to the search for good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence and unity in Latin America and the Caribbean in a joint statement at the end of the meeting.
They agreed that both States will refrain, neither in word nor in deed, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them.
The Heads of State and Government agreed to continue dialogue on all other outstanding issues of mutual importance to the two countries and agreed to immediately establish a joint commission of foreign ministers and technicians from both States to address mutually agreed issues.
The Commission will provide an update to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.
They further agreed that all disputes between States will be settled in accordance with international law, including the 1966 Geneva Convention, and that “they will not under any circumstances threaten or use force, including directly or indirectly, against each other.” such circumstances of any controversy between the two countries.
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