December 12, 2023
The pathway to peace for Guyana and Venezuela leads through the St Vincent and the Grenadines. Thank God there can be a neutral place where the leaders of each country can talk directly about what needs to happen.
We believe President Maduro understands he cannot just take the Essequibo by force. Something also tells me he understands the law of prescription, too. The thing is the understanding of these issues does not mean that someone, like President Maduro, still won’t act in a way that is detrimental to all and sundry.
In the initial days leading up to the referendum in Venezuela, asking the people to empower its government to solve the Essequibo issue once and for all, there was time to talk. But, Guyana decided to go to the ICJ rather than to Venezuela first. That was a mistake. Not that the Essequibo isn’t already in Guyanese territory, but because it is always wise to confront your adversary first rather than going to a third party.
Nevertheless, there is a pathway to peace. This is all that matters now.