Venezuela’s decision to hold a referendum to bolster its spurious claim to Essequibo saw a rare briefing yesterday by President Irfaan Ali of Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on the growing tension between the two countries even as Guyana attracted more support from the OAS and the Commonwealth.
In a statement yesterday, the Government of Guyana said it noted with deep concern the decision of the Venezuelan National Assembly to conduct a referendum on defending Caracas’s groundless claim to Guyana’s Essequibo.
It said that Guyana is of the view that this has the potential to foment tension between the two States.
“Guyana considers that the only appropriate forum for Venezuela to raise its territorial claim, consistent with the rule of international law and the preservation of peace and security, is the International Court of Justice in The Hague which has already determined, twice, that it has jurisdiction to resolve the competing claims of Venezuela and Guyana to the territory in question. Resolution by the Court assures both Parties of a final, binding, and permanent settlement that is equitable, just and consistent with international law”, the government said.
The Government extended its appreciation for the unequivocal support which it has received from friendly Governments and organisations, in particular the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Commonwealth. It applauded their principled stand in support of the preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Guyana’s strenuous efforts to this end will remain premised on respect for the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter”, the statement said.
It added that Guyana’s concerns have been communicated to the Government of Venezuela.
Yesterday in a Facebook broadcast, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s position on Venezuela’s claims and the decision to hold a referendum. He also disclosed that he had briefed the Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and the Leader of the Opposition. He did not elaborate on his briefing of Norton. Channels of communication between the two leaders have not been active recently.
In a statement, the Office of the Opposition Leader said “Today, Saturday 23rd September 2023, the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey C. Norton, MP was briefed by H.E. President Irfaan Ali on the current developments surrounding the Guyana/Venezuela border. Mr. Norton reaffirmed the Opposition’s support for Guyana’s long held position that the Arbitral Award of 1899 settled the border between Guyana and Venezuela and that Essequibo belongs to Guyana. He informed the President that we are united on this issue and reassured him of the Opposition’s support of all measures aimed at protecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Mr. Norton also indicated to the President that we support the view that Guyana has the right to undertake economic activity within our territory and in our appurtenant maritime territories.
“The Opposition opposes and condemns all forms of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana. We also welcome the support of the international community in protecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
In its statement yesterday, the OAS noted that on September 21, 2023, the “regime of Venezuela’s `National Assembly’” unanimously agreed to call a National Public Consultation “so that the people strengthen the defense” and “the inalienable rights of Venezuela” over the territorial controversy with Guyana.
“We condemn this improper use of a referendum because it is illegal according to the 1966 Geneva Agreement, and because similar misuses of this instrument have served as a pretext in the recent past to try to justify the worst actions between States, including the crime of aggression.
“The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) reiterates that Venezuela and Guyana share the responsibility of resolving their (controversy) in the spirit of good neighborliness and in accordance with international law and the Geneva Agreement to seek peaceful solutions to the territorial”, controversy, the OAS said.
Furthermore, the OAS General Secretariat said it continues to support Guyana’s sovereign right to practice its franchise on its established and appurtenant maritime area, in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations.
“The OAS General Secretariat objects to Venezuela’s encroachment on Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial rights through intimidatory and unfounded statements that fail to respect international conventions and the 1899 Arbitral Award, for which the latter is presently under judicial review at the International Court of Justice”, the statement added.
The Commonwealth in a statement yesterday said that its Ministerial Action Group on Guyana was convened in New York on 17 September 2023 by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, in accordance with a mandate given by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to monitor “developments in respect of the existing controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.”
The Group constituted in 1999 by the Heads of Government of the 56-Member countries, is composed of Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
At the Meeting, chaired by Dr A. K. Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, the Group welcomed the ruling by the International Court of Justice on the admissibility of Guyana’s case before it, seeking to settle the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela.
Further, the Group reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the judicial process underway before the International Court of Justice and reiterated its firm and steadfast support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, and the unobstructed exercise of its rights to develop the entirety of its territory for the benefit of its people.
CARICOM on Friday deplored threats by Venezuela against Guyana following its auctioning of offshore oil blocks.
In a statement CARICOM said it had noted with grave concern a communique from Venezuela in relation to Guyana’s intention to open bids for oil blocks in waters adjacent to Guyana’s coast.
“CARICOM views the stated intention of Venezuela to `apply all the necessary measures’ to prevent the operations licensed by Guyana in its waters, as a threat of the use of force contrary to international law. It is also not in keeping with the long-standing position of the Latin American and Caribbean countries that our Region must remain a Zone of Peace.
“CARICOM has also taken note of the decision of the Venezuelan National Assembly to conduct a popular referendum on defending Venezuela’s claim. CARICOM expresses the hope that Venezuela will engage fully in the process before the International Court of Justice, which has determined that it has the jurisdiction in the case brought before it. The Court’s final decision will ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law”, the regional body said.
The Georgetown-headquartered CARICOM reiterated its full and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana including its right to peacefully develop the resources of its territory, the statement said.
Ever since Guyana discovered oil in 2015, Caracas has sought to apply pressure on Georgetown. It issued decrees claiming the waters in which the lucrative Stabroek Block is located.
On September 19, Guyana rejected Venezuela’s objections to this country’s auction on September 12 of offshore blocks for the purposes of oil exploration.
In a statement on September 19, Caracas maintained its established line of intransigence by claiming that Guyana did not have sovereign rights over the areas auctioned.
Guyana has however strongly held that these areas fall within its internationally recognised boundaries.
Responding to the Venezuelan statement, Guyana’s President Ali had said: “The Government of Guyana reserves the right to pursue economic development activities in any portion of its sovereign territory or any appurtenant maritime territories. Any unilateral attempt by Venezuela to restrict the exercise by Guyana of its sovereignty and sovereign rights will be wholly inconsistent with the Geneva Agreement and the rule of international law”.
Guyana is currently before the International Court of Justice seeking a ruling on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award as a full and final settlement of the boundary with Venezuela.
Six companies bid on September 12 for eight of the fourteen available oil blocks. ExxonMobil, French oil company Total and the state of Qatar were among the bidders.
Alerted
On September 20, Ali alerted the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) to threats by Venezuela over Guyana’s auctioning of the offshore oil blocks and called on Caracas to adhere to its obligations under the UN Charter.
The President told the UN General Assembly that Guyana considers Venezuela’s stance to be a threat to regional and international peace and security, as well as to this country’s investment partners.
“We demand that Venezuela honours its obligation under the Charter to pursue only peaceful means to settle any disputes it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice”, he said.
The Head of State maintained that the court must be given the opportunity to bring this controversy to an amicable resolution that will promote peace, equity and moreso fall in accordance with international law.
“Guyana will spare no effort in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity”, he declared.
“When I addressed the Organization of American States last Friday, I recalled to that hemispheric body how Guyana was excluded from the OAS for 25 years from its birth as a nation, on account of a spurious territorial claim to two-thirds of our homeland, by Venezuela.
“But justice prevailed, and Guyana was ultimately admitted. It is sad, however, that fifty-seven years after Guyana’s Independence we remain threatened.
“Venezuela’s efforts to undermine our freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity is today before the International Court of Justice, as decided by the UN Secretary General under the Geneva Agreement of 1966. The ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter has been twice affirmed by the Court. We are confident that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will also be affirmed when the Court issues its final judgment”, Ali said.
He opined that international law is being undermined by threats and naked acts of aggression against sovereign states and by the perpetuation of old conflicts and disputes between states.
On September 20, the United States expressed support for Guyana’s sovereignty. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols called on Venezuela to respect international law including the 1899 arbitral tribunal ruling and the ongoing International Court of Justice process between Guyana and Venezuela.
