Media Release: PM Kamla affirms support for Guyana

PM Kamla Pertsad-Bissessar with Guyana's President David Granger

TRINIDAD & Tobago stands in support of Guyana’s claim in its present maritime waters dispute with Venezuela, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated on Friday.

According to the release, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC affirmed her support to Guyana’s President, His Excellency David Granger during the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Last month, the Government of Venezuela proclaimed a Presidential Decree claiming maritime waters that encompass Guyana’s exclusive economic zone. Within the waters in dispute is a US exploration company, which recently announced that it had found minerals on the seabed indicating there may be large deposits of oil beneath.

During discussions at the CARICOM meeting, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar affirmed with President Granger Trinidad and Tobago’s common interests with both Guyana and Venezuela. However, the Prime Minister stated that Venezuela’s Presidential Decree is a violation of international laws of the sea and expressed support for Guyana’s claim.

The Commonwealth’s position was similarly affirmed by the Secretary General, who expressed disapproval of the unilateral passing of such decrees and again expressed the Commonwealth’s support of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.