After a December 2022 photograph resurfaced showing Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in the company of other officials holding a floral depiction of the map of Venezuela that included Guyana’s Essequibo region, he insisted that it was an inadvertent occurrence. During a press conference today, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said he believes Dr. Gonsalves provided a credible response to the matter.
The photograph in question captured Dr. Gonsalves standing behind the map during an event at the Venezuelan embassy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has since garnered attention on social media, especially since Gonsalves played a pivotal role in diffusing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela which holds spurious claims over the Essequibo region. The photograph attracted considerable criticism from several stakeholders who said Dr. Gonsalves should have known better.
Among those criticizing Gonsalves was the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, who at his press conference today said, “It sends the wrong signal, more so if you accept that he was involved in the Argyle Declaration and has been given a kind of permanent status. It is unacceptable for him to be involved in a picture like that.”
The Argyle Declaration, initiated on December 14, was the result of talks between Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, facilitated by Gonsalves in his capacity as Pro-Tempore Chairman of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Countries.
The declaration saw an agreement which states that, “Both states will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. “
In response to the criticisms, Gonsalves issued a letter to the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, expressing his lack of awareness regarding the controversial depiction on the map. He characterized the incident as an unfortunate occurrence of “innocent inadvertence” being exploited to generate unnecessary antipathy. Gonsalves explained, “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 Simon Bolivar.” He further emphasized that the picture was taken in December 2022, predating the recent tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.
Vice President Jagdeo supported Dr. Gonsalves, stating, “I don’t think that Ralph Gonsalves would knowingly pose for a picture with a Venezuelan map that shows Essequibo as part of Venezuela. Ralph and every other Caribbean leader have expressed strong solidarity with Guyana regarding our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Jagdeo also underscored the importance of being mindful of one’s surroundings, drawing on his own experiences of being in spaces with controversial figures unknowingly.
