UN to dispatch 2 observers to Pres Ali & Maduro talks in St Vincent today

…“We must stand up to bullies and tyrants” – UK’s Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign

…reject Venezuela’s attempts to disrupt regional zone of peace – former St Lucian PM

The United Nations (UN) has indicated its intention to dispatch two observers to observe the upcoming talks between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, which will go down in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday.
According to UN Chief Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the UN Secretary General himself, Antonio Guterres, has welcomed the announcement of talks between the two Presidents, which are being held under the auspices of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Community of Latin American Countries (CELAC) in an effort to deescalate tensions between the two countries.

Dujarric also revealed that Guterres, who was invited to the meeting, will be sending two envoys from the UN who will represent him at the talks. These envoys are Guterres’ chef de cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, and Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca.
“The secretary-general commends efforts by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio ‘Lula’ da Silva, and the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, to bring the parties together, and the support expressed by Mexico and the international community,” Dujarric further said in a statement.

Stand firm
Meanwhile, former St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has made it clear that the Caribbean region as a whole and St. Lucia in particular, must stand firm in rejecting Venezuela’s attempts to disrupt the regional zone of peace.
The former Prime Minister turned St Lucian Opposition Leader made these comments in a recent interview, where he made it clear that Venezuela is in the wrong and has no right to take preemptive measures against another country’s land, when a court case is in process.
He also called out the St Lucian government for not being firm enough in repudiating Venezuela’s efforts to disrupt the peace and alluded to recent statements made by the Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre, who made a recent trip to Venezuela and has defended his administration’s efforts to foster closer ties with the Spanish speaking country.

“It’s an embarrassment. It’s a simple statement. Very, very simple statement. Venezuela is wrong. There’s an ongoing court case. You cannot, all of a sudden, unilaterally decide you’re going to take over a piece of land while you’re in court. And this government wants to say well Maduro is my friend. My friend?” An incredulous Chastanet said.
“I’d have thought when the government of St. Lucia went down to Venezuela a couple of weeks ago, they actually would have gone by boat and brought food with them, to help out the people of Venezuela.”
The former PM also questioned what his successor could hope to gain from Venezuela, when that country’s socio-economic problems have prompted a migrant crisis that countries in the region, including Guyana, have had to grapple with.

“Venezuela is a disaster when it comes to its economy. It’s a complete failed state. And then for leaders of CARICOM to say they’re going to have a meeting. I agree with Sir (Shridath) Ramphal. A meeting to discuss what? It’s in court,” he further explained.
“All Venezuela has to be told is, you have to cease and desist what you’re doing because its disrupting and jeopardizing the zone of peace in our region. And it’s undermining the rule of law. And all we want to know is that both sides are prepared to accept what the outcome of the courts are.”

Bullies
Over in the United Kingdom (UK), the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, David Lammy, had strong words for Venezuela and made it clear that regional bullies must not be tolerated.
“An aggressive threat to a smaller neighbour, an attack on recognized international borders, an illegitimate referendum stoking historical grievances, the Putin playbook is being copied in Caracas by Maduro…we must stand up to bullies and tyrants with imperialistic ambitions,” Lammy said.
Lammy went on to seek assurances from Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Andrew Mitchell, who noted that not only does the UK wholeheartedly support Guyana, but that he also attended a meeting with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, KC, following which a statement to this effect was issued. (G3)