The Venezuelan Government has escalated it claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory with the amassing of troop at the border. But even as the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro continues his saber-rattling and rabble-rousing, he still needs the go-ahead from the Venezuelan people. A referendum seeking their approval is set for December 3, 2023.
The fifth question on the referendum seeks the “approval of the Venezuelan people to create a new state of Venezuela that incorporates the county of Essequibo into the national territory of Venezuela”.
Notably, even as the Venezuelan government increases its presence at the border and the impending referendum, the border controversy is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for resolution.
In light of this, Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has warned that a judicial nightmare is headed Maduro’s government’s way.
“Guyana is of the considered view, that the impending referendum slated for the 3rd of December, 2023 is intended to and will compromise the legal proceedings pending at the International Court of Justice, if not subvert the legal process altogether and prejudice its outcome,” Nandlall said during an extraordinary sitting of the House yesterday in Georgetown.
The AG noted that it is for these reasons that Guyana has approached the ICJ for certain interim measures.
“Anyone familiar with the curial process would know that a party in a litgation has a right to seek appropriate legal remedies, interlocutorily, if the other party in the litigation is taking steps that can defeat, compromise or render negatory, the legal proceedings itself and/or its final outcome.
At the same time, every court has a duty to protect the integrity of its processes and proceedings against it. In short, it has an inherent and unmitigating duty to prevent its process from abuse,” the AG emphasised.
Nandlall also called upon all national stakeholders to present a united front on this matter of fundamental national importance.
“What is at stake is our Nation’s sovereignty. By Article 9, our Constitution declares that sovereignty belongs to the people. It therefore means that we are at stake, the people of Guyana and ofcourse our country,” the Minister stressed.
