Dear Editor,
The SRDC hereby wishes to make an official statement on the referendum which is going to take place in Venezuela concerning the annexation of all the territory lying west of the Essequibo River on December 3rd 2023:
As the Indigenous Peoples of the South Rupununi we would like to state that the Essequibo, and the area in question has always been part of the Wapichan Wiizi since before the colonizers came to the continent. The Essequibo is called Chiipi Wa’o in Wapichan and serves as the border of the Wapichan Wiizi. We have used the lands in question traditionally. They form part of our cultural heritage since some of our ancestors are buried in those lands and there are petroglyphs marking the presence of our ancestors in the area. Although historically Venezuela has no connection with these lands, their motivation to annex these lands is fueled by the fact that these lands are rich in mineral resources.
We are aware that there is currently a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which the Arbitral Award of October 3rd, 1899 was challenged by the Venezuelan Government. The ICJ in 2020 agreed to hear the case and settle the dispute. A decision is yet to be made on the case and by going ahead with the referendum, Venezuela is not only disregarding the Arbitral Award of 1899, but also blatantly disrespecting on-going procedures before the ICJ. We welcome the most recent ICJ ruling that recommends that it refrain from any action that could modify the situation that currently prevails in the Essequibo region.
We stand firmly with our fellow Guyanese people and hope that the government of Venezuela respects the sovereignty of Guyana and does not go ahead with this referendum. The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) is the authority in the South Rupununi District and the legally representative institution of the 21 mostly Wapichan communities of the South Rupununi, established under section 35 of the Amerindian Act (Act No. 6 of 2006).
Sincerely,
South Rupununi District Council,
Wenceslaus Albert, Secretary
Michael Thomas, Chair