President Irfaan Ali yesterday told the nation that bilateral relations with Venezuela remain on hold until such time as it desists from aggression and immediately releases the fishing vessels and crew members currently detained.
“We are committed to bilateral discussions of matters of joint concern such as COVID-19 and Venezuelan migration to Guyana but….these discussions must be preceded by a commitment from Venezuela to desist from aggression and release immediately the vessels and crew,” Ali said during a public briefing on the matter.
The pronouncement is a direct response to an offer made by United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres to play a “good offices” role between Venezuela and Guyana on issues other than the border controversy.