Don’t expect overnight border fix, says Mottley

Barbadians are being told to temper their expectations as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley engages in mediation efforts between Guyana and Venezuela over the border dispute in the Essequibo.

Speaking yesterday ahead of talks slated for today in St Vincent, Mottley said it was unrealistic to expect an overnight resolution to this long-running dispute.

In her feature remarks during the luncheon at the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Mottley said an escalation of the dispute had the potential to destabilise the region and it was therefore imperative that Barbados did all in its power to maintain the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

“I don’t want people to believe that this is a moment where you can wiggle your nose and solve the problem. This is a patient process, it is a process where we need to leave all egos at the side, and where we need to focus on the big picture which is peace. I have every confidence that those of goodwill in the region, as all of us are, want peace,” Mottley said.

She made it clear that CARICOM remained unwavering in its support of Guyana and that the ultimate aim of the talks was to get both sides to agree to let the matter be decided by the International Court of Justice.   (CLM)