Guyana received unanimous support from the United Nations Security Council when its members met on Tuesday at the request of President Irfaan Ali, to address Venezuela’s approval of the creation of a new state in Essequibo, sending a strong signal to the Nicolas Maduro regime of this country’s backings, sources said.
All members of the Council expressed concern about the escalating tensions between the two countries and called for the matter to be resolved through peaceful means” one official said.
“They reaffirmed respect for the fundamental principles of international law including peaceful resolution of disputes. They also applauded and encouraged ongoing regional efforts. The majority of members referred to and commended the Argyle agreement. The majority of members also referred to the matter being considered in the ICJ and called for the parties to abide with the provisional measures ordered by the Court”, source told Stabroek News.
The objective of the meeting was to inform the Council of the recent developments with respect to the promulgation of the law that seeks to incorporate Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela. The Council has a preventive role and this country believes it was important that they be apprised of Venezuela’s action.
Private meetings at the UNSC allow for the concerned parties to participate. As such the Venezuelan Ambassador participated and this newspaper understands that he reiterated what they have been saying publicly.
“There was no dissent in support for Guyana by both P5 [five permanent members with veto powers] and E10 members [non-permanent members]…” of the UN Security Council, another official said following the closed-door meeting which began at 3 pm on Tuesday.
“What that support does is, it sends a message to Venezuela; a strong message that many stand with Guyana that its sovereignty must be respected along with international law,” another source said.
Following Maduro’s recent adoption of legislation to annex one third of this country, President Ali wrote to the UN Security Council to address the issue, which threatens Guyana’s sovereignty and also flouts the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional orders on the matter that is currently before it.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persuad had pointed to the ICJ’s order on provisional measures, issued December 1st 2023, which prohibits Venezuela from taking any action to interfere with Guyana’s administration and control of its Essequibo region “pending the court’s final ruling on the merits of the controversy”.
He had said that the Security Council was expected to look at the matter from the perspective of Maduro’s violation of the rules of international law requiring states to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other states.
On Monday, Venezuela submitted documents to the ICJ asserting its claim to Essequibo and Guyana issued a statement acknowledging the move. The submission, which was made in accordance with the court’s specified timeline, pertains to Venezuela’s counter-memorial related to the case concerning the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 (Guyana v Venezuela).
The case, filed by Guyana in March 2018, seeks the court’s decision on the validity of the Arbitral Award that determined the boundary between the two countries. The court has so far confirmed its jurisdiction over the controversy and will proceed to determine the issue based on its merits.
According to the statement, Guyana has consistently urged Venezuela to fully engage in the judicial proceedings and adhere to the court’s decisions, “and therefore welcomes Venezuela’s submissions on the substantive issues that the court will ultimately decide. Guyana notes that Caricom, the Commonwealth and other members of the international community have also been urging Venezuela to participate in the proceedings before the ICJ”.
The statement further noted that the Government of Guyana views the submissions from both parties regarding the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the settlement of the international boundary as beneficial for the court’s consideration. Guyana had already made its own submission in April 2023.
With the submissions from both states in front of the court, a comprehensive evaluation of all arguments and evidence will be made to issue a more well-informed judgement, which will be final and binding on the parties involved.
Furthermore, Guyana has reiterated its commitment to comply with the ICJ’s decision.
On March 21, Maduro approved the creation of a new state in Essequibo, despite the ongoing international court case and months after an agreement for peace was made between him and Ali.
The peace declaration, which was signed between the two heads of state in December, came on the heels of a referendum in Venezuela, which, according to Maduro, was in favour of Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo. Consequently, the Bolivarian Republic produced a new map of Venezuela including Essequibo as one of its states. St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves had then brought the two presidents together for discussions which led to the peace agreement.
Guyana’s statement said it remained optimistic about the court’s verdict and was eager to see the resolution of this long-standing issue.
Meanwhile, in a press statement, Caricom expressed concern over Venezuela’s adoption of the Organic Law for the Defence of Guayana Esequiba. It said that Venezuela’s actions have escalated tensions and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Caricom further criticised Venezuela for acting unilaterally and potentially dangerously, going against international law and agreements. The Caribbean Community urged Venezuela to refrain from further actions that could disrupt peace and stability, and emphasised the importance of dialogue and adherence to international law for a just resolution.
