Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that two boats which had been detained by Venezuela were due to set sail for home today and that legal proceedings against their crew had been discontinued at the request of that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has been informed by the Venezuelan authorities that the fishing vessels – Lady Nyera and Sea Wolf – that had been detained since January 21 2021 in Port Guiria have been released. The Foreign Minister of Venezuela His Excellency Jorge Arreaza confirmed to Foreign Minister Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd that all legal proceedings had been discontinued at the request of His Excellency Nicolas Maduro. The vessels are expected to set sail for Guyana on February 3, 2021.
The Government of Guyana appreciates the efforts of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and of the wider international community in securing the release of the crew and vessels. His Excellency President Irfaan Ali was tireless in his efforts to ensure the safe and speedy return of the crew to their families.
The Government of Guyana wishes to underscore the value of mutual respect in the relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
February 3, 2021
