In an address at the VIII Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, discussed the nation’s commitment to peace and stability within the region. President Ali’s speech stressed the paramount importance of maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, amidst global conflicts that challenge international peace efforts.
Ali expressed concern about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, describing them as “senseless acts of aggression and inhumanity” that have thwarted the global community’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of affected citizens. He firmly stated, “We must never allow the peoples of this region to be subjected to such actions,” calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine and the release of hostages.
Reflecting on regional diplomacy, President Ali recounted that Guyana accepted a dialogue facilitated by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Brazil, and the United Nations (UN) to address tensions with Venezuela. He reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the resolution of the Essequibo territorial controversy through the International Court of Justice, emphasizing the country’s readiness to accept the Court’s judgment.
Venezuela’s Maduro conveys ‘great respect’ for Ali and people of Guyana | OilNOW
Ali urged against drawing premature conclusions without factual basis, noting that comments emanated from a Bolivia official earlier in the summit, regarding Guyana’s recent military cooperation with the United States and the United Kingdom. He clarified that recent air surveillance and sea exercises mentioned by Bolivia were part of security cooperation and unrelated to the Guyana-Venezuela controversy.
The President’s speech was also an assurance of Guyana’s peaceful intentions, stating, “Guyana and everything we do is built on peace.” He communicated that the nation has values of fairness, principle, honesty, and peace.
President Ali assured all leaders present that peace remains Guyana’s priority. He stated, “our territory will never ever be used as a platform of war or for war.”
