The United Kingdom continues to express support for Guyana amid the ongoing territorial controversy with Venezuela. David Rutley, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean, will visit Guyana in the coming days as a gesture of solidarity. This move follows a recent joint declaration for dialogue and peace signed by the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela.
David Cameron, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and a former UK Prime Minister, announced the coming visit. Cameron took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Venezuela for its commitment to refrain from the use of force.
“And it must be followed by concrete actions,” he said. “The UK will continue to work with our partners in the region and internationally to ensure respect for Guyana’s sovereignty,” Cameron added.
Cameron previously expressed support for Guyana, arguing “I see absolutely no place for unilateral action by Venezuela. It should cease. It is wrong.”
Another UK Member of Parliament, John Anderson, has called for sanctions against President Nicolas Maduro.
The territorial controversy centers around Guyana’s Essequibo region, which Venezuela claims. Tensions have flared, as Venezuela pursues intimidatory tactics, threatening regional stability. The recent meeting between Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked an important step for the maintenance of peace. The meeting, facilitated by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), culminated in a declaration emphasizing non-aggression and good neighborliness.
Both Guyana and Venezuela agreed not to use force directly or indirectly under any circumstances. The declaration also included a commitment to meet again in Brazil within the next three months. This development has been positively received by the international community. The involvement of CELAC and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was pivotal in organizing the meeting.
