Region must pay keen, sustained attention to Venezuelan threat – Foreign Secretary at Concordia summit

…as alarm bells raised over threats to regional peace, democracy

The recent postures and action by the Venezuelan regime regarding its illegal claim of Guyana’s territory was deemed a threat to stability in the western hemisphere… one that requires sustained attention and action from the region.
Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud joined other regional leaders, including former and current Heads of State, at the Eight Concordia Americas Summit, which was held at the University of Miami from April 22- 23, 2024.
During a Strategic Dialogue entitled ‘Regional Unity: Strategies to improve the Western Hemisphere Relationships’, Persaud warned of the threat posed by Venezuela to regional peace, by virtue of its threats to Guyana.
“The aggression that is been recently pumped up by the Maduro regime, can affect and can harm our hemisphere as being a zone of peace. And this must cause all of us, not only to be alarmed, but also to take the necessary action in this regard in arresting and ensuring the motives and even the actions,” Persaud said.
“Just recently Caracas put into place the organic law, which basically annexes two thirds of Guyana. And he’s playing by the Russian playbook in many regards. And this certainly is an issue that we must not take lightly, because it would have, if he continues along this path, severe repercussions. And again, it requires hemispheric, sustained attention and action.”

War criminal
Iván Duque, former President of Columbia from 2018 to 2022, meanwhile had harsh words for the Nicolas Maduro regime currently running Venezuela amid its spiraling social, economic and diplomatic status. He referred to Maduro as a “war criminal”, who should be brought before the International Criminal Court.
“There is a democratic deficit going on. We have the situation in Venezuela, in Nicaragua. We have, obviously, the horrible situation in Cuba. But we’re also seeing regimes in Latin America that, by extraordinary measures, are trying to take full control of the courts, the press and also the independence of the institutions. And that’s a major risk.”
“What is happening in many countries in Latin America, needs to be addressed. And the best way to address it is in cases like the one in Venezuela, we have a war criminal, that has to be tried by the International Criminal Court. We have seen that every single step to loosen the sanctions has been taken by Nicolas Maduro to affect the democratic resistance. And what happens is there are a lot of copy cats of that model,” the former President added.

OAS
While he did not directly refer Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, Organisation of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro stressed the importance of dialogue rather than strong arm tactics.
He also noted that dictatorships in Latin America never end well, instead ushering in migration and social crises such as that facing Venezuela at present.
“It is clear that we need more diplomacy and dialogue. It is very necessary. If you have a disagreement related to the application of a convention, there are many ways you can fix that. You don’t start by the first… the first move cannot be the last and more dramatic one.”
“If you see dictatorships in the region, they are complete failures. Social failures. Migration failures. Humanitarian crises. Migration crises. They have the whole package. So, we need to address the basics and democracy is point one,” Almagro said.
Other speakers at the dialogue included Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis HE Terrance Drew, Combatant Commander of US Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Hon. Gabriela Sommerfield.
Concordia is a global platform bringing together heads of state, government and non-government officials to find cross-sector solutions to the various challenges. The Second Concordia Amazonas Summit will be held in Guyana on 9-13 July 2024, focusing on Environmental Sustainability and Financial Inclusion.
On April 3, Venezuela’s President Maduro promulgated “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, thus effectively claiming the Essequibo as a state within Venezuela – a move that has been condemned by the Guyana Government and several regional and international bodies.
Guyana has, on several occasions, denied partnering with the US or any other country to be an aggressor against Venezuela. Meanwhile, the US Government has denied that it has already established, or has plans to set up, a secret military base in Guyana.
White House National Security Communications Advisor, Admiral John Kirby told reporters at a press briefing on April 4, “There are no plans for a secret military base [in Guyana].” (G3)