As we told you earlier - the Vice President of Venezuela Jorge Arreaza visited Belize very briefly today for a meeting with the Prime Minster at his Belize City office. Well just a few minutes ago the Government Press office sent out the official release saying what the visit was about.
He's here as part of a tour to lobby support from CARICOM Nations. That's because Venezuela and its neighbor Guyana have a territorial dispute; Guyana is a CARICOM Nation so the CARICOM bloc, Belize included have taken a position in support of Guyana. OF course, Venezuela is funneling PEtrocaribe fuel to almost all of the Caribbean too - so they can always get a seat at the table of any Head of State or Government in the region.
Belize was the thirteenth stop on the 15 nation CARICOM circuit where, according to a government press release, quote, "The Vice President shared…Venezuela's position on the territorial dispute with Guyana and reassured Prime Minister Barrow that Venezuela does not want a fight….they are asking the CARICOM countries to encourage Guyana to dialogue with them." At his press conference earlier this week, The Prime Minister told the Press what Belize's position is:
Reporter
"Could the government clarify its position as it relates (this is an international matter), to Guyana, where Guyana has this territorial claim on maritime areas of Guyana. The other day CARICOM called for all member nations to support Guyana. I am just wondering if this has been discussed by the government and if so what the position?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"We were part of that CARICOM call. So the short answer to your question is yes, we absolutely support Guyana with respect to the territorial dispute with Venezuela. How could we not, given our own circumstances. But suffice it to say, we absolutely do."
Coming out of today's meeting, Prime Minister Barrow said that it was encouraging that the Venezuelans are reaching out and committed Belize's assistance - if necessary - to bring the two nations to the negotiating table.
Vice President Arreaza traveleld with his wife, Rosa Virginia Chavez, Hugo Chavez's daughter.
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