As Venezuela votes today in a referendum that can see moves to annexe Guyana’s territory, President Irfaan Ali has called on Cuba to urge Caracas to ensure that the region remains a zone of peace.
This is according to a brief statement from the Office of the President on a meeting between Ali and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves in the UAE on the Venezuela/Guyana border controversy.
The statement said that Ali reinforced Guyana’s commitment to regional peace and the rule of law, while he urged Cuba to join CARICOM in calling for a commitment from Venezuela to maintain the region as a zone of peace.
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo accompanied the President to the meeting.
Cuba is one of the few countries in the region seen as retaining some influence with the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
The referendum will be held just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would interfere with Guyana’s control of the Essequibo.
