Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has made it clear that the recent Venezuelan naval incursion into Guyana’s maritime territory, particularly its interaction with Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) platforms, falls “undoubtedly under Guyana’s jurisdiction.”
Gonsalves, who is the principal interlocutor under the Argyle Declaration, a peace treaty signed between Guyana and Venezuela pending the outcome of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) process, made comments during a radio interview on NBC Radio on Wednesday.
The Argyle Declaration, named after the location where it was signed, is an agreement intended to help manage the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. The declaration, while aimed at maintaining peace, could face challenges even after the ICJ renders its final judgment, Gonsalves said.
On Saturday last, Gonsalves recalled receiving a report from President Irfaan Ali, informing him of the concerning situation. Venezuelan forces had entered Guyana’s waters and interacted with FPSO platforms. These platforms are located in Guyana’s EEZ.
“They [Venezuelan forces] interacted with the FPSO platforms, and these are undoubtedly under Guyana’s jurisdiction, because that’s the purpose of the oil exploration in that area,” Gonsalves stated. He emphasized that the FPSO platforms are integral to Guyana’s oil industry, which has become a significant part of the nation’s economy.
Gonsalves, who has been involved in efforts to mediate peace between the two countries, said that the Argyle Declaration was activated in response to the situation. “Our Argyle Declaration had to be activated. It’s the mechanism that was put in place to ensure peace during such incidents. It was really a matter of urgency,” Gonsalves explained.
“I was in the middle of other obligations, but the calls were coming in fast and furious. I had to step away from other commitments and make calls throughout the night to ensure peace.”
He continued to stress the importance of maintaining dialogue and ensuring that tensions did not escalate into conflict.
“You can’t expect that Guyana and Venezuela would have the same view on the matter. What we had to do immediately was to make sure there was peace and that no provocation would take place,” Gonsalves said.
He noted that both the United States and the United Kingdom, with vested interests in the region due to their companies operating in Guyana, were involved in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
A critical point Gonsalves raised was the potential for a military conflict. “Anything can happen in a situation like this. Tensions could spiral out of control, leading to a full-scale military operation. We had to act fast to prevent that from happening,” he warned.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve faced such issues since the Argyle Declaration came into force, but we must ensure that such incidents don’t repeat.”
The Prime Minister also expressed his personal commitment to the role he plays in the peace process.
“I take my responsibilities under the Argyle Declaration seriously. I’m fully aware of the delicate balance we must maintain between both countries, and I will continue to work closely with all parties involved,” Gonsalves affirmed.
While the primary goal of the Argyle Declaration is to maintain peace during the ongoing border dispute, Gonsalves acknowledged that even after the ICJ’s final judgement, tensions between Guyana and Venezuela may persist. However, he remains hopeful that through continued diplomacy, the region can avoid a full-blown crisis.
Gonsalves reiterated that the Argyle Declaration is not merely a formality but a crucial instrument in preventing conflict and fostering peace.
“This is no joke,” he said. “Peace must always come first, especially in matters of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The role of the international community, including CARICOM, the United States, and the United Kingdom, is pivotal in ensuring that peace prevails in this region.”
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