GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Monday criticised Venezuela for the “unacceptable escalation of tensions” with Guyana over the border dispute regarding the ownership of the Essequibo, an oil-rich region that makes up about two-thirds of Guyana and is home to 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.
In a statement, the regional integration movement of which Guyana is a member, said also that it considers that the adoption of “the Organic Law for the Defence of Guyana Essequiba” by Venezuela on April 3 this year “has threatened to undermine peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean”
The 15-member CARICOM grouping said that in its adoption of “the Organic Law”, Venezuela “has acted unilaterally, precipitously, and potentially, dangerously.
“In the process, it has (i) offended “the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela” of 14 December 2023; (ii) subverted international law; and (iii) signaled a possible embrace of an unworthy aggression to achieve its own articulated goals or purposes”.
CARICOM said that it acknowledges that both Venezuela and Guyana have “divergent stances on “the border issues”, on all matters consequential to the border controversy, and on the specific modes for their resolution.
“However, both countries have agreed that the issues and consequential matters are to be resolved peacefully, and in accordance with international law and its relevant mechanisms, inclusive of the Geneva Agreement of 1966.”
CARICOM said it also acknowledges, too, that Guyana has the right to pursue its claim through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“At the same time, each country renounces threats to peace and the use, or threatened use, of violence in the pursuance of their respective claims or interests.
”Accordingly, CARICOM urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to refrain from any further actions that would hinder regional and hemispheric peace and stability. We insist that dialogue and an adherence to international law are the only viable paths to achieve a just and lasting settlement of the issues-at-hand.
“The alternatives are too horrific to contemplate. We demand, likewise, a patience and a calm, and an end to any possible unilateral, aggressive actions,” CARICOM added.
Guyana has vowed to maintain its position regarding the ownership of the Essequibo region and that it will not back down from protecting its land and sovereignty.
It said Venezuela’s latest actions actions are a form of annexation by decree, in clear contravention of the Argyle Declaration and the judicial process currently before the ICJ.
Last weekend, Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, said by this new law, Venezuela purports to exercise control over two-thirds of the sovereign territory of Guyana.
“Venezuela’s latest actions appear to directly contravene the ICJ Order and also the spirit of the 14 December 2023 Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela where both states agreed to use international law and diplomatic means to address the controversy and to refrain from escalating the conflict.”
“The Commonwealth affirms that the ICJ process is the appropriate and lawful means to address the matter under international law,” she added.
