BROOKLYN, NY – The Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday demanded the release of the crew of two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels who have been detained by Venezuelan authorities since January 21.
The OAS General Secretariat made the call as it condemned “the illegal detention by the Venezuelan dictatorship” of the boats, the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf, which were intercepted when they were off the coast Waini Point, within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The captains of both fishing vessels were forced by a Venezuelan naval vessel to go to Port Guiria in the Spanish-speaking nation where the boats and crew have been detained.
“The General Secretariat demands that the Guyanese citizens are released promptly and safely to Guyanese authorities, as well as the two detained vessels,” it said in a statement.
“Moreover, the General Secretariat reiterates its support for the rules and processes set by international law regarding ongoing territorial conflicts. The resolution of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana is a matter that lies under international jurisdiction and cannot be settled by unilateral actions.
“Any attempt to derail this international legal process, such as the decree issued by the Maduro regime, is contrary to international law and standards and has no legal bearing or significance,” it added.
On Monday, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd issued a protest note to Chargé d’Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy Moses Chavez, firmly condemning the illegal detention of the captains and crews and calling for their immediate release.
The following day he had a virtual meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs Jorge Arreaza, who assured the crew were being treated with the utmost respect for their human rights and undertook to pursue their early release.
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