Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has written to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, raising concerns over Venezuela’s actions during recent engagements in the region.

In the letter, Ali expressed “grave concern” over the public display by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, of a map depicting Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.

The display was seen during official engagements in CARICOM member states, including a recent visit to Barbados.

It is the second time Rodríguez has worn the controversial brooch, having previously done so during a visit to Grenada earlier this month.

While reaffirming Guyana’s respect for the sovereign right of CARICOM states to maintain bilateral relations with Venezuela, Ali said it was “deeply regrettable” that such engagements were accompanied by symbols asserting Venezuela’s territorial claim.

“The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risks being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance,” he wrote.

Ali stressed that CARICOM’s support for Guyana must be reflected not only in statements but also in the conduct of official engagements, warning that no action should give the impression that regional platforms can be used to advance claims currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ has recently announced it will begin hearing oral submissions on the long-running border dispute, which dates back to the late 1800s.He described the display as a “calculated and provocative assertion” of a claim Guyana has consistently rejected and which is now before the court for final adjudication.

The letter comes amid growing concern in Guyana, where Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand has also criticised regional leaders over the issue.

“CARICOM leaders claiming to be our friends and benefitting from that friendship even as they entertain their other friends who are completely disrespecting Guyana by openly claiming two-thirds of my country and sporting that on a visible piece of jewellery, even as that matter is being adjudicated in the ICJ, has me questioning our friendships and the principles of these CARICOM leaders,” she said.

“Principle is principle. It shouldn’t be cowardly. And it shouldn’t be convenient.”Ali reiterated Guyana’s position that the boundary was settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award, which he described as a “full, perfect and final settlement.”

He also pointed to what he said was a pattern of actions by Venezuela, including attempts to annex the Essequibo region and appoint officials for the area, despite the matter being before the court.

The president noted that the ICJ had already ordered both countries to avoid actions that could escalate the dispute or alter the current situation, under which Guyana administers the territory.

“Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the Court, seek to normalise by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law,” he stated.

Ali urged CARICOM leaders to remain vigilant in safeguarding the Community’s position, while reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the matter through the judicial process.