The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday declared that the referendum Venezuela proposes to hold on December 3rd defending its claim to Guyana’s Essequibo has no validity but can undermine regional peace and security.
“…CARICOM insists that the Referendum proposed by Venezuela has no validity, bearing, or standing in international law in relation to this controversy; the Referendum is a purely domestic construct, but its summary effect is likely to undermine peace, tranquility, security, and more, in our region’”, a statement from the regional body said.
CARICOM – of which Guyana is a member – keeps a constant watch on the border controversy with Venezuela and routinely issues statements particularly during periods of high tension.
In its statement, CARICOM noted that two of the questions approved to be posed in the Referendum, if answered in the affirmative, would authorise the government of Venezuela to embark on the annexation of territory, which constitutes part of Guyana, and to create a state within Venezuela known as Guyana Essequibo.
“CARICOM reaffirms that international law strictly prohibits the government of one State from unilaterally seizing, annexing or incorporating the territory of another state. An affirmative vote as aforesaid opens the door to the possible violation of this fundamental tenet of international law.
“It is to be emphasised that the land and water in question — the Essequibo Region of Guyana — comprises more than two-thirds of the whole of Guyana itself”, the regional body said.
CARICOM noted that the language of two questions approved to be posed in the Referendum seeks affirmation and implementation of Venezuela’s stance on the issue “by all means, according to/with the Law.”
“It is open to reasonable persons to conclude that `by all means’, includes means of force or war”, CARICOM stated.
“CARICOM earnestly hopes that Venezuela is not raising the prospect of using force or military means to get its own way in this controversy over territory. After all, it has been the long-standing position of Latin American and Caribbean counties, including Venezuela, that our region must remain a zone of peace”, the regional body, headquartered in Georgetown, said.
CARICOM reiterated its support for the judicial process and expressed the hope that Venezuela will engage fully in the proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which has determined that it has the jurisdiction in the case brought before it to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which Venezuela questions.
Issuing threats
Venezuela began issuing threats to Guyana last month despite the fact that the two countries are before the ICJ on the question of the validity of the 1899 arbitral award which settled the boundaries between the two countries.
On September 18, Caracas denounced the award of offshore exploration blocks in Guyana’s waters.
On September 19, responding to the Venezuelan statement, Guyana’s Presi-dent Irfaan Ali 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”.
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.
On September 22nd, CARICOM deplored the 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 then.
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.
