‘Guyana stands in solidarity with Venezuelan people’ – Foreign Secretary

…relief aid arrives in earthquake-stricken country as Caracas
thanks Guyana, Caricom

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, says the country stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela as relief supplies, coordinated by the Government of Guyana in partnership with other Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states, have arrived in the earthquake-stricken South American nation. Two vessels, Mega and Motti arrived at La Guira Port in Venezuela on Sunday, with humanitarian supplies comprising food, medicine, construction materials, machinery for rubble removal, and 300 water tanks. The shipment forms part of a regional response led by President Dr Irfaan Ali with support from Caricom member states and the private sector. The supplies were received by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil, alongside Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who pledged additional shipments. Minister Gil expressed gratitude on behalf of Venezuela toward the neighbouring nations and the diplomatic corps that facilitated the handover, specifically acknowledging Guyana and all Caricom member states that joined the initiative. According to a teleSUR report, he further emphasised the geopolitical significance of the assistance in addressing the emergency in the hardest-hit zones, noting that the donation supplements other international aid received since the seismic event, which has bolstered response capacity and the restoration of essential services. “The only way to face these natural events that truly impact the population of our entire region is through unity,” he underscored. The relief supplies were contributed by the Governments of Guyana, Belize, the Bahamas, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the local Private Sector, civil society organisations, citizens, and members of the Venezuelan community in Guyana. In a social media post, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary emphasised that “Guyana remains a reliable partner in times of crisis and stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they recover from the devasting impacts of the earthquake.” This show of solidarity and support between Guyana and Venezuela comes as the two South American neighbours are embroiled in a decades-long border controversy. The matter is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is expected to deliver a ruling sometime later this year or early next year.

Generosity
Meanwhile, the PSC in Guyana commented that this “this collective effort demonstrated the generosity and solidarity of Guyana’s private sector, reflecting a shared commitment to standing with our regional neighbours during times of crisis”. On June 24, the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes caused extensive damage in parts of Venezuela near the country’s capital. More than 3685 persons have died and another 16,740 were injured from last month’s twin quakes, while 17,907 are homeless.