The Government of Guyana said on Friday that it is gravely concerned about the adoption of a law by the Venezuelan National Assembly, declaring the Essequibo region of Guyana to be a constituent part of that Spanish speaking nation. In a statement to the press, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said this is in flagrant violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is in breach of the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
“It is also an egregious violation of the Order on provisional measures issued by the international Court of Justice on December 1, 2023 and it is a violation of the Argyle Declaration of December 14, 2023 agreed to by the leaders of CARICOM and Brazil, the representative of the United Nations Secretary General and by the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela,” the government’s statement read.
It was further noted that Guyana remains committed to peace on its borders and in the region. The ministry said, “It will not allow its sovereignty and territorial territory to be usurped. Guyana will exert all of its efforts under international law to ensure that its sovereignty and territorial integrity remain intact.”
The Guyana Government also called on the international community to uphold the rule of law by rejecting Venezuela’s illegal expansionism and by insisting that Venezuela revert to the International Court of Justice which has before it the case for a full and final resolution of the controversy over the land border between the two countries.
It was yesterday that Venezuela’s National Assembly unanimously approved the creation of the state of Guayana Esequiba, which encompasses the oil-rich Essequibo territory under Guyanese control since the late 1800s.
According to reports, the law passed designates Tumeremo in the state of Bolívar as the administrative center of the state of Guayana Esequiba. Provisions for the governance of the region include the appointment of authorities by Caracas until a governor is elected.
Furthermore, the legislation imposes restrictions on individuals expressing support for Guyana’s position on the territorial dispute and mandates fines for the dissemination of maps depicting the disputed area as part of Guyana’s territory.
The Essequibo region, comprising more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory, has been a subject of dispute since the late 1800s, with Venezuela contesting Guyana’s sovereignty over the area. Despite efforts to resolve the issue peacefully, Venezuela’s recent legislative move has heightened tensions in the region.
