Guyana deplores threat or use of force in int’l relations – Rodrigues-Birkett tells UN General Assembly

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has firmly laid the country’s position on the current Russian invasion in Ukraine, maintaining that the country condemns any use of force or threat in matters relating to international relations.
At the 11th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, she underscored that the Guyana Government is “gravely concerned” over the recent military intervention by Russia, in violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Most importantly, she echoed the country’s calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy.

“Guyana deplores the threat or use of force in the conduct of international relations and urges a peaceful resolution of the differences that currently exist, in consonance with the rule of international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter. The current military action in Ukraine is contrary to the principles of respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and the non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign State,” Rodrigues-Birkett positioned.
She added, “The aggression against Ukraine is a threat to the region and countries everywhere. The Government of Guyana supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to bring a speedy resolution to the situation in Ukraine and cease the threat to international peace and security.”
She further told the Assembly that Guyana fully aligns itself with the statements issued by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) last month and with the Declaration of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on the situation in Ukraine.
Following the invasion, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had expressed, “The Government of Guyana deplores the threat or use of force in the conduct of international relations and urges a peaceful resolution of the differences that currently exist, in consonance with the rule of international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter.”
The Organisation of American States (OAS), of which Guyana is member called for the immediate cessation of the hostilities that were irresponsibly initiated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Caricom shared similar sentiments.
Apart from Guyana, the declaration also featured the Permanent Missions of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. Also throwing their support behind the declaration were Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Canada, and the United States. Venezuela was also listed among the countries supporting the declaration.
In the document, it states that the aforementioned countries “strongly condemn the unlawful, unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and call for the immediate withdrawal of the military presence and cessation of any further military actions in that country”.
Calling for Russia to end hostilities, withdraw its troops and equipment from Ukraine and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, it also condemns Russia’s illegal recognition of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent states.
Russia’s act of aggression has been described by western neighbours as “a dark day for Europe.”
In response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, major global leaders have announced widespread sanctions against Vladimir Putin-headed Russia.
Guyana, through the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, was seen engaging its hemispheric neighbours to discuss the stability of the region in light of the current crisis.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd held a series of teleconferences with his counterparts from South American nations. He spoke with Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Alberto Franco França, and the Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, Marta Lucía Ramírez. Russian Ambassador, Alexander Kurmaz was also engaged.