If Venezuela decides to amend its Constitution to have the Essequibo region placed under its control, it would simply be a pointless exercise. This is essentially the thinking of Advisor on Borders, Carl Greenidge who noted during an exclusive interview with Guyana Standard today that in the 21st Century, the Spanish speaking nation is not entitled to claim what it has no sovereignty over. He categorically stated that the period of imperialism ended a long time ago while adding that it would not be allowed, especially by the international community.
Greenidge’s comments come in wake of a statement published on the website of the Venezuelan National Assembly which notes that the Nicolas Maduro administration is considering a proposal to amend Articles 10 and 11 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela “to ratify that the Essequibo territory is ours.”
The Advisor on Borders said, “Anyone is free to dream about being the ruler of a greater empire than the one they have but the world does not give you credit for controlling a place over which you have no sovereign powers. Venezuela has never in its existence, ever controlled the Essequibo…You can’t wake up a morning and decide that you are going to pretend to be the owner of territory, most of which you haven’t a clue of what lies within those borders.”
The former Minister added, “You of course are in a position to send military anywhere…but there would be consequences.”
Greenidge further noted that the international community long ago decided that a country cannot lay claim to another by virtue of it being upset with that country or by virtue of it being slighted by the neighbour “or by virtue of a dream that they should be in control of larger land space.”
The Advisor said, “That went with the imperial era and the last chunk of it was in the scramble for Africa and we are not in that era. The framework within which we work is one of law and order. Venezuela is not entitled to wake up and claim territory by simply flying jets over the territory…”
Greenidge further noted that Guyanese indeed have a right to be concerned about the two Venezuelan fighter jets which were spotted in the nation’s airspace but stressed that they should not give Venezuela the privilege of thinking that their lives have been disrupted.
While Guyana does not have the same military prowess as Venezuela, Greenidge said that the country will continue engaging its bilateral partners along with its case that is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
