Concerns Mount Over Prime Minister of St Vincent's Alleged Support for Venezuela's Claim to Essequibo Region: A Closer Look Needed

In order to write this commentary, I called Dr Gonsalves to learn his side of this story. He told me what he subsequently included in a letter to Presidents Ali and Maduro concerning this incident. He explained that he was not aware of the photograph but confirmed that it was taken at a ceremony commemorating Bolívar in St Vincent on the grounds of the Venezuelan Embassy in December 2022.

He went on to say, in his letter, as he had told me: “While the photographs were being taken, I am advised that someone attached to the Venezuelan Embassy placed the papier-mâché depiction of the said map in front of us. I did not look

at what the depiction was. I assumed that it was about Simón Bolívar.”

As all leaders know – politicians and otherwise – persons take photographs in which they appear but have little knowledge of anything or anyone that is not within their vision. Gonsalves was behind the map and photographs are taken within seconds. That situation could have happened to anyone and, indeed, they frequently do.

He described the incident as “an innocent inadvertence on his part” and he regarded it as “unfortunate” that it “has been used by some to drum up, unnecessarily, antipathy of one kind or another”. He also understood “all the emotions attendant on this controversial issue”; and recognised that, as happened on this occasion, “from time to time there will be flare-ups”.

Gonsalves then said to both Ali and Maduro: “We as leaders must maintain a patience and a calm knowing that sun brightens stone, even as the river burns”. For those who do not recognise those words, they are taken from one of the iconic poems of Guyana’s Poet Laureate, the late Martin Carter, Death of a Slave. Gonsalves went on to urge that “about this matter of the papier-mâché depiction, hopefully, it has been laid to rest, where it ought properly to reside among the assorted ghosts from the past which ought never to rule us from the grave”.

None should forget that in the long months of 2020 as Guyana’s democracy was being sorely tested and the free will of the people, as expressed at the ballot box, was being jeopardised, Gonsalves stood in solidarity with all the people of Guyana, seeking peace, stability and democratic rights.

Like every man, Ralph Gonsalves is not infallible, but one thing is for certain, he is a Caribbean man and, he cares deeply about our one Caribbean region. Undoubtedly, he has a friendship with Maduro, and he is seeking as best he can to promote acceptance of a lasting solution to the Guyana-Venezuela controversy. That is Ralph Gonsalves’ nature. But he is no enemy of Guyana’s and none should wrongly try to make him so.

He has explained himself fully and satisfactorily. As he has asked, the matter should be laid to rest.

Of the greatest importance now is that Guyana and its CARICOM partners must move forward, focusing on the legal and diplomatic efforts necessary to end the Venezuela controversy.

Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. (The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com)