If Venezuela is allowed to invade Guyana’s territory and seize the Essequibo Region, in defiance of an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it would render that intuition a “toothless poodle.” This stark warning was delivered on Monday evening by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. He was at the time, participating in a symposium at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Venezuela’s Referendum.
The referendum, held on December 3 by the Nicholas Maduro regime, sought the support of Venezuelans to made the Essequibo region a Venezuelan state and to issue identification cards to the Guyanese residing there.
Nandlall, in his address said, “The western hemisphere has always been a zone of peace.” He noted however that this state of affairs would change for the worse if Venezuela tramples on the ICJ’s order.
Expressing profound concern, Nandlall said allowing Venezuela to succeed with any reckless behaviour would strip the ICJ of its efficacy, reducing it to a sterile and perfunctory institution. He argued that such passivity would also render the United Nations (UN) Security Council impotent and ineffective.
As international responses unfold regarding Venezuela’s territorial ambitions, Nandlall pointed to the United States’ initiation of sanctions against Venezuela and the nation’s internal struggle with the repercussions. He alluded that Venezuela could find itself attracting more consequences should it choose to walk a reckless path,.
International reports have thus far revealed that Maduro’s referendum received a lackluster response. Media reports note that only two million voters responded out of a voting population of 20 million. Irrespective of the outcome, Maduro still deemed it a success.
Guyanese authorities have said they will remain vigilant and are adequately prepared to respond to any troubling developments by its western neighbour.
