President raises Venezuela’s threats at UN General Assembly

President Irfaan Ali speaking yesterday

President Irfaan Ali yesterday alerted the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) to threats by Venezuela over Guyana’s auctioning of offshore oil blocks and called on Caracas to adhere to its obligations under the UN Charter.

Following the September 12 auction of oil blocks, Caracas has ratcheted up tensions with Georgetown by claiming incorrectly that Guyana does not have sovereign rights over the area and issuing threats to the bidders.

Ali yesterday used his address to the 78th Session of UNGA in New York to skewer Venezuela’s claims and pointed out that the longstanding border controversy between the two countries is before the International Court of Justice in the Hague.