Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali says that the country will not be cowered or bullied by neighbour Venezuela as that country lays claim to a section of Guyana.
He made this statement during his address to the nation as Guyana celebrates its 55th Independence anniversary.
“My brothers and sisters, we cannot recall the moment of Guyana’s independence without also remembering the efforts of Venezuela to prevent it. As we released ourselves from the colonial cord of Britain, the Venezuelan government sought to stifle our birth by falsely laying claim to two-thirds of our country. They have spent the last fifty-five years of the independence of all of Guyana pursuing this claim,” he said.
He added that international law is not silent, noting that the International Court of Justice is the forum where the voice of international law will be heard, and justice will be determined.
“As one people, with one united voice, and in spirit that will not be broken, we’ll advance the validity of the one hundred and twenty-two year-old Award that fixed our boundaries.
In our continuing struggle, we are not without friends. We deeply appreciate all those who have stood by our side – from the Caribbean, from the Commonwealth, from the America’s and beyond. The Venezuelans must understand that we sought no quarrel with them, and we do not do so now,” the Head of State said.
He continued, “Our only wish is to live in harmony and cooperation with all our neighbours. We hold out not a fist of war but a hand of friendship, based on respect for our borders and theirs. But we will not be cowered, nor will we be bullied.”
