“Don’t take Venezuela’s threats for granted” — former Foreign Affairs Minister

In light of a recent move which saw the Venezuelan military forcing a seismic vessel belonging to ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary out of Guyanese waters, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey believes that nothing should be taken for granted and careful attention must be paid to this matter.
ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary has suspended the 3D seismic operations it started only a month ago in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan military on Saturday, which forced the company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.
The vessel in question is the Ramform Tethys, which is owned by Norwegian company Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS) that was contracted by ExxonMobil to carry out tests and acquire seismic data.
The incident happened less than a day after a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly saw the coalition Government being toppled, paving the way for fresh elections in three months.
Dr Jeffrey said, “If they are willing to come into our waters and attempt to arrest a ship that has been given legitimate permission by us, I can’t tell what else they can do.” As such, the former Government Minister is urging the Administration to step up security in the area.
While he opined that there should not be any attempts to spread fear, he thinks that Government should perceive that the Venezuelans could go further. “You don’t know how far they would go … They have infrastructure out there and those infrastructure, they have to be protected,” he added.
Dr Jeffrey posited that Government should also be seeking intelligence on what was taking place on the ground in our western neighbour. He believes if the embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was using this to get people’s support, he may likely “do more of it”.
He said: “You can’t take it for granted that the Venezuelans will do nothing else. There is more to come; yes, of course. It’s a normal response in international relations.”
However, the former Foreign Affairs Minister pointed out that the Americas (not Guyana) and the “more radical elements in the region” have been talking about invading Venezuela and getting rid of Maduro.
As such, Dr Jeffrey is of the opinion that Maduro will, of course, use friends to make a point about any claim.
“They are refusing to go to court and the court will decide, but in the meantime if they do this, they can do other things. It’s not like the <<<Anadarko>>>>, they took it and they went away,” he added.
As it pertains to the Government’s response, Dr Jeffrey said that for the most part, it has been doing the right thing to make representation and to condemn these actions, both nationally and internationally.
“Of course, they will have to talk with the Venezuelans. I don’t see what else they can do. It has been flagrant breach of our rules and laws and we have to talk about it,” he stated.
Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has condemned the actions of the Venezuelan military, which he noted were both illegal and aggressive, having occurred in the Exclusive Economic Zone on the continental shelf of Guyana.
According to the Minister, ExxonMobil reported that the Venezuelans intercepted the Ramform Tethys at approximately 10:30h on Saturday. Greenidge noted that the vessel had a crew of 70 on board, including the Captain.
“The Government of Guyana rejects this illegal, aggressive and hostile act perpetrated by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which once again demonstrates the real threat to Guyana’s economic development by its western neighbour; an act that violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be bringing this latest act of illegality and blatant disrespect for Guyana’s sovereignty by Venezuela to the attention of the United Nations,” Greenidge said. “It is also in the process of informing the several Governments of the 70 crew members of the threat to their safety.”
According to Greenidge, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will also receive formal communication from the Government of Guyana on the matter.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge after receiving information about the incursion and interception of the ExxonMobil seismic vessel.
Jagdeo notes that the Opposition gives its full support to the Government on any matter relating to infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Less than two weeks ago, Russia flew two of its bomber aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons to Venezuela. They are TU-160 supersonic bombers, known as “White Swans” by Russian pilots.
Reuters said these bomber aircraft landing was a show of support for Venezuela’s socialist Government that has infuriated the United States Administration in Washington.
Guyana has taken its border controversy case with Venezuela to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
(Samuel Sukhnandan)