Soon there will be a new agreement between Guyana and Venezuela on combating drug trafficking and related offences, replacing a 1987 agreement between the two countries.
According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delegations from the countries, which met in Georgetown on Wednesday, successfully agreed on a text that will be submitted to the respective governments for approval with a view to early signature.
The two sides looked at a draft agreement on the Prevention of Illegal Consumption and Suppression of Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors and on related offences. Both countries agreed that the new conditions that have emerged, including the changes in the modus operandi of traffickers, require the strengthening of cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of drugs. It was also noted that the 1987 agreement does not contain all of the necessary provisions to facilitate strengthened cooperation given the changes.
Guyana’s negotiating team was headed by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and included representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs as well as members of the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons. The Venezuelan delegation was led by Ambassador Dario Morandy.
