Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge

– retaliates against alleged Greenidge’s comments in US

In continuing to increase the rift between his country and Guyana on account of the border controversy they precipitated, Venezuelan President NicolÁs Maduro refused to approve Guyana’s new Ambassador to Venezuela, Marilyn Cheryl Miles.

According to Venezuelan media, Guyana requested agreement on its new Ambassador to Venezuela; however, the approval was put on hold.

This recent move by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is perceived as another act of aggression towards Guyana.

Based on the media reports, President Maduro explained that the decision to put the approval on a hold was due to the alleged offensive remarks made by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge against Venezuela. He explained that Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez reported that Greenidge made “offensive statements and attacks against Venezuela” during a recent visit to the United States. Against this backdrop, Maduro instructed his Minister to freeze the agreement.

Venezuelan Ambassador Reina Margarita

“On the one hand, they (Guyana) ask us to approve their (designated) Ambassador, and on the other hand, they destroy us, they attack us, and issue offensive statements against Venezuela and the Bolivarian Government. The Government of President (David) Granger must come clean,” President Maduro is quoted as saying.

Guyana’s perceived “attacks” come on the heels of Venezuela’s recent claims to two-thirds of its landmass – the Essequibo. In fact, the century-old border controversy, which was not on Venezuela’s front burner for several years, was recently reignited by the latter country when US oil giant ExxonMobil began exploratory works in the Stabroek Block offshore the Essequibo Coast.

Arguably fearful that Guyana might strike oil, President Maduro issued a decree claiming that the majority of Guyana waters now belonged to Venezuela. Consequently, in an effort to defend its sovereignty, Guyana made it clear to the Venezuelan Government that the Essequibo and its offshore waters belonged to Guyana.  The border between the countries was set by an international tribunal in 1899, in an award the parties, including Venezuela, had agreed would be a final settlement.

Since the recent belligerence from Venezuela, moves have been made by the international community, including the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to push for a peaceful resolution of the issue.

Marilyn Cheryl Miles

Meanwhile, Geoffrey DaSilva, who served as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela since 2010, was recalled by Minister Greenidge shortly after the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government ascended to office.

Further, according to the Venezuelan report, President Maduro indicated that he was willing to send Venezuelan Ambassador Reina Margarita back to Guyana, given that tensions seem to be easing due to the mediation by the United Nations.