Delegations from Guyana and Venezuela were able to successfully complete consideration of a draft agreement on the prevention of illegal consumption and the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, as well as related offences, during a meeting in Georgetown.
The Guyana Chronicle reported that a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the two sides had agreed on a text that would now be submitted to the respective governments for approval, with a view to early signature.
When signed and brought into force, the new agreement will succeed the March 27, 1987 Agreement between the governments of Guyana and Venezuela for the prevention, control and suppression of the unlawful consumption of and traffic in narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Guyana and Venezuela both agree that the new conditions that have emerged require the strengthening of cooperation in the area of the illicit trafficking of drugs because of the changes in the modus operandi of traffickers, and the 1987 agreement does not contain all of the necessary provisions to facilitate strengthened cooperation, given these changes.
The delegations of Guyana and Venezuela took the opportunity to discuss cooperation in combating the illicit trade in small arms and cooperation in the fight against narco-trafficking. They exchanged information on their respective national drug strategies as well as the scope for mutual legal assistance on criminal matters.
