Ahead of President Irfaan Ali’s meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, asserts that a clear agenda was established by CARICOM.
This statement comes in response to claims from the opposition that the government did not provide sufficient details about the meeting.
Dr. Jagdeo refers to the CARICOM heads of government meeting on December 8, emphasizing that the agenda was outlined in a subsequent press statement.
He challenges the opposition’s assertion and highlights the importance of ensuring that Guyana’s positions are not compromised during such meetings.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had suggested that President Ali should have insisted on Venezuela taking measures to de-escalate the situation before agreeing to the meeting.
Dr. Jagdeo counters this argument, stating that maintaining the integrity of Guyana’s positions is crucial when engaging in diplomatic discussions.
Dr. Jagdeo notes that Norton was formally invited to accompany the President to the meeting but declined the invitation for unspecified reasons.
The exchange between the government and the opposition underscores the importance of transparency and strategic positioning in diplomatic engagements, especially when addressing geopolitical challenges.