Ukraine crisis not influencing CARICOM discussions on border controversies – Dr. Barnett

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr. Carla Barnett (Photo: CARICOM)

Last Thursday, when Russia invaded Ukraine, CARICOM issued a strong condemnation of the hostilities, objecting to the threats posed to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state.

Though she acknowledged that the Ukraine crisis may reflect some similarities with the two Caribbean border controversies, Dr. Barnett emphasised that Ukraine’s crisis “is not a context” that will guide the discussions on the border controversies.

There are several factors that contributed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; some analysts think that the annexation of Crimea by Russia may have led to the buildup of tensions. Crimea, though once part of Ukraine, has now been taken by Russia.

Even so, Dr. Barnett said that the Caribbean’s border controversies are discussed at every meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government.

Guyana has taken its case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after prior engagements with Venezuela failed. Guyana is asking the ICJ to pronounce on the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award which determined the boundaries between the two countries.

A December 2020 judgement handed down by the ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana/Venezuela controversy case. Guyana is expected to submit its memorial next month with Venezuela expected to submit a counter- memorial in 2023.

Venezuela has, however, refused to participate in the proceedings. And, it is maintaining a claim to 70 per cent of Guyana’s territory, arguing that the 1899 agreement, which determined the boundaries between the two countries, is null and void.

Meanwhile, Belize and Guatemala have voted in separate referendums to ask the ICJ to resolve the issue