Trotman warns about undermining of Venezuela border controversy case

APNU+AFC MP Raphael Trotman today issued a veiled warning to the government not to commit to anything during the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo that could jeopardise Guyana’s pursuit of a judicial settlement of the border controversy with Venezuela.

Without naming Pompeo, Trotman said “Being aware of the imminent arrival of certain foreign dignitaries, we must be careful that in the height of the pomp, no pun intended, and ceremony, we do not lose our dignity and self-respect and trade our sovereignty, statehood and hallowed stance of the right to self-determination and non-interference, in the affairs of other states by agreeing to some unhelpful and unholy agenda that is meant to boost electoral prospects elsewhere.

“We have made tremendous progress in the last five years to achieve a binding and internationally recognisable outcome by getting our controversy (with Venezuela) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and our cause is just and highly likely to succeed. We implore you not to turn a controversy, being settled by peaceful means, into a hot dispute that threatens our sovereignty and the peace within the region”.

Trotman was speaking during today’s opening of debate on the 2020 budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.