The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is scheduled to travel to Venezuela on Saturday to hold discussions with President Nicolas Maduro regarding the ongoing border dispute with Guyana. Gonsalves refrained from giving details about the discussions during a news conference on Friday but expressed his concern about the matter and emphasized his desire to see the principles of international law respected.

Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party administration maintains a close relationship with the Venezuelan government. The escalating tension between Guyana and Venezuela has also raised concerns from the United Nations Secretary-General, leading to calls for both parties to engage in good faith and avoid actions that may exacerbate the conflict.

Venezuela has accused the United States and Guyana of increasing military presence along the border, but the Guyana government has denied these claims. The parliament of Guyana has formally rejected Venezuela’s claims to ownership of the mineral and forest-rich county of Essequibo, and the International Court of Justice has been asked to block several questions proposed by Venezuela in a planned referendum.

Additional calls for dialogue and the respect of international law have been made by various organizations including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Gonsalves also expressed concern about the situation in Gaza and the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the need for humanitarian truce and criticized the disproportionate response, stating that it violates international humanitarian and human rights law. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with other CARICOM countries, have supported a recent resolution for a humanitarian truce at the UN General Assembly.