Caracas coming under diplomatic pressure to release boats, crews

There is growing condemnation today over the illegal detention by Venezuela of two registered Guyanese fishing vessels and their crews, purportedly within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) has condemned the illegal detention and demanded that the Guyanese citizens be released promptly and safely to Guyanese authorities, as well as the two detained vessels. The OAS Secretariat reiterated its support for the rules and processes set by international law regarding ongoing territorial conflicts.

At the same time, the Guyanese government equally condemned the Venezuelan action, which it said amounts to an interference with the sovereign rights of Guyana in its EEZ, contrary to international law.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month issued a decree creating a new maritime territory of Venezuela called ‘Territory for the development of the Atlantic Façade’, encompassing Guyana’s territorial waters, EEZ and continental shelf, as well as its land territory west of the Essequibo River.

Belize and CARICOM respond

The government of Belize has registered serious concern regarding official reports of 12 Guyanese nationals and their vessels, the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf, which were intercepted by the Venezuelan Navy the ‘Comandante Hugo Chavez GC 24’ in Guyana’s EEZ and subsequently detained at Port Guiria, Venezuela.

The Belize government yesterday called on the government of Venezuela to respect international law. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has added its voice to calls for the immediate release of the Guyanese fishing boats and crew detained.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, CARICOM expressed grave concern about the escalation of tensions between the two countries, caused by the interception and detention of the two vessels and the 12 seamen by a Venezuelan naval vessel on January 21.

The Guyana government said the boats were intercepted when they were off the coast of Waini Point, within the country’s EEZ and the captains were instructed to make their way to Port Guiria in Venezuela.

Caracas urged to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity of Guyana

Highlighting its statement issued on January 12, in which it had firmly repudiated any acts of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana, CARICOM urged Caracas to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and to desist from aggressive acts that will seriously undermine the peace and security not only of Guyana and Venezuela but the entire Caribbean region”.

CARICOM called for the immediate release of the crew members and vessels. Last Monday, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd issued a protest note to Chargé d’Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy, Moses Chavez, firmly condemning the illegal detention of the captains and crews and calling for their immediate release.

The owners of the detained boats in Guyana have said they made contact with the crews who reported that they had appeared in court, though not yet charged with anything, and authorities were given 45 days to investigate the matter. Venezuela claims the men were illegally fishing in its territorial waters.