By: Staff Writer
January 29, 2021
The Venezuelan capture of Guyanese fishing vessels in disputed territory sparks widespread condemnation
The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) has condemned the detention of two Guyanese fishing vessels by the Venezuelan government along with the CARICOM Secretariat.
In a statement to the media, the OAS said: “The OAS condemns the illegal detention by the Venezuelan dictatorship of two Guyanese registered fishing vessels and their crew who were located within the Cooperative Republic of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
“The General Secretariat demands that the Guyanese citizens are released promptly and safely to Guyanese authorities, as well as the two detained vessels.”
“Moreover, the General Secretariat reiterates its support for the rules and processes set by international law regarding ongoing territorial conflicts. The resolution of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana is a matter that lies under international jurisdiction, and cannot be settled by unilateral actions. Any attempt to derail this international legal process, such as the decree issued by the Maduro regime, is contrary to international law and standards, and has no legal bearing or significance.”
The fishing vessels were were intercepted on Thursday and taken to Venezuela’s port city of Guiria, where the crew and ships were detained along with their 12 crew members.
Aboard the Lady Nayera are the captain, Richard Ramnarine and his crew: Ramlakan Kamal, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph.
On the Sea Wolf are its captain, Toney Garraway and crewmen: Errol Gardiner, Orland Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shervin O’ Neil and Randy Henry.
“The Venezuelan vessel was illegally manoeuvring within Guyana’s EEZ and Contiguous Zone when it intercepted, boarded and commandeered the Guyanese fishing vessels,” Guyana’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
CARICOM too has put out a statement on Venezuela’s act of aggression by saying, “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses grave concern at the escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela caused by the interception and detention in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone of two Guyanese fishing vessels by a Venezuelan naval vessel on January 21, 2021.”
“Recalling its statement of January 12, 2021 in which it had firmly repudiated any acts of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana, CARICOM urges the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and to desist from aggressive acts that will seriously undermine the peace and security not only of Guyana and Venezuela but the entire Caribbean region.”
“The Caribbean Community calls for the immediate release of the crew members and vessels.”