US reiterates support for Guyana’s territorial integrity

…as US Permanent Rep to UN meets with Pres Ali

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States (US) Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), on Tuesday reiterated US support for Guyana and the defense of its territorial integrity.

According to a statement from President Dr Irfaan Ali on his social media page on Wednesday, he received a courtesy visit from Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on Tuesday. The President and entourage were in New York for the UN Security Council (UNSC) debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security.
“Discussions focused on enhancing and expanding the relationship between Guyana and the US. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed her country’s unwavering support to Guyana, especially as it relates to defending its territorial integrity,” the President’s statement said.
It was further explained that Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Guyana’s own Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; and the Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Michael Regan, were also part of the meeting.
The meeting comes less than a week after the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, had published satellite images purporting to show a military build-up on Ankoko Island in Region Seven, Guyanese territory which Venezuela has occupied since 1966.
This comes even as Venezuela has already agreed to take no action that would exacerbate tensions between the two countries. On December 14, 2023, in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, President Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro held discussions on matters consequential to the territory involved in the border controversy.
After more than eight hours of engagement, the two Heads of State agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, would not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.
In a joint declaration dubbed the Argyle Agreement, the Heads of State also agreed that any controversy between the two States would be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The two countries have also committed to the pursuance of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean. It has also been agreed that both States would refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy.
Venezuela has, since last year, been intensifying its threats and aggression towards Guyana. Prior to the Argyle Agreement, the Venezuelan President had issued declarations illegally infringing on Guyana’s sovereignty and telling companies operating in Essequibo to vacate the area within three months. (G3)