The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Monday condemned a “deliberate and provocative” display depicting Guyana’s Essequibo region as Venezuelan territory during a regional engagement in Barbados.
The Venezuelan presence included Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who was seen wearing an insignia bearing the controversial map. The PSC said the act crossed the bounds of diplomacy and should not be dismissed as symbolic or incidental, warning that such gestures risk eroding trust within the Caribbean Community and heightening regional tensions.
Rodríguez was also seen wearing the very same insignia during a recent visit to a sister CARICOM state, Grenada, pointing to what observers describe as a consistent pattern of messaging around Venezuela’s territorial claim.
“Guyana’s position is clear and unwavering: Essequibo is Guyana’s,” the PSC said, stressing that the region is administered, populated and developed by Guyanese, and safeguarded under international law.
It added that Venezuela’s continued actions — including its declaration of a so-called “Guayana Esequiba” state and attempts to assert authority over the territory — run counter to orders of the International Court of Justice and commitments under the Argyle Declaration.
The commission called on Barbados to take a clear and principled stance in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, and urged CARICOM and international partners to respond with unity and resolve.
“Silence or inaction in the face of such deliberate provocation risks emboldening further escalation,” it said.
The PSC warned that respect for territorial integrity is an economic imperative, underpinning investor confidence, stability and long-term development.
“Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” it said.
