Canada has now added its voice in calling for the immediate release of the illegally detained Guyanese fishermen and their vessels by the Venezuelan Government.
“Canada supports Guyana in calling for the immediate release of two Guyanese vessels that were detained by the Maduro regime. We repeat our call for International law to be respected,” Canada said in a statement this morning.
Guyana has called again on the Venezuelan Government to release the 12 Guyanese fishermen and the two vessels detained last week by the Venezuelan navy.
The plea was made by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd during an address to the National Assembly this morning.
He said Guyana “has encouraged Venezuela to release our Guyanese nationals and their fishing vessels and to desist from actions that violate international law and threaten the peace and stability of the region.”
Minister Todd further informed the House that he had a virtual meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, on Monday last to discuss the detention of the fishing vessels and crew and status of their release.
It was reported that the Venezuelan Foreign Minister assured that the crew members were being treated with utmost respect for their human rights and he had undertaken to pursue their early release.
Moreover, Minister Todd noted that the Guyana Government is heartened and encouraged by the support of the international community on this issue.
A number of countries and international organisations have echoed calls for the release of the Guyanese detainees as well as for Venezuela to subscribe to the settling of the border controversy case through the International Court of Justice.
