GUYANA will spare no effort to defend its territorial integrity says Ali

NEW YORK, New York, September 21, 2023 - Guyana’s president Irfaan Ali told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. That “Guyana will spare no effort in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” in light of continued  threats by Venezuela after Guyana’s recent auctioning of oil blocks.

President Ali, in his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, said the Bolivarian Republic must desist from threatening Guyana.

He said though the threats have persisted for several decades, they have intensified in recent times.

Ali told the UN Assembly that only yesterday, Caracas issued another threat because of Guyana’s recent auctioning of oil blocks.

While he expressed confidence that the International Court of Justice would reaffirm the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award as the full and final settlement of the land boundary with Venezuela, the Guyanese leader said Caracas’ latest sabre rattling amounted to a “threat to regional and international peace and security as well as a threat to Guyana’s investment partners.”

“We demand that Venezuela honors its obligations 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. Allowing the Court to decide will ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law,” the Guyana president said.

Ali pointed out that Guyana’s participation at the International Court of Justice is testament to the country’s commitment to have the border issue settled in a peaceful manner.

“Guyana will spare no effort in defending its sovereign and territorial integrity. I expressed appreciation to every member of the international community that continues to support Guyana’s effort to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ali said.

He said, when Guyana takes its place next year on the UN Security Council, issues such as respect for international law and justice will be the country’s guide.

Caracas has told the investors that Venezuela would not honour any agreement with any third parties and that Guyana and Venezuela should first reach agreement on bids for offshore oil blocks.

In the meantime, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Luis Almargo, has condemned the “intimidatory tactics” by Venezuela, and said Guyana must preserve its territorial integrity.

“We vehemently decry intimidatory tactics that seek to undermine the principle of good neighborliness. We recognize the right of Guyana to welcome investors. Guyana must preserve its territorial integrity and security by addressing its case with Venezuela at the ICJ,” Mr. Almargo said in a statement.

The decades old border controversy has seen various acts of aggression over the years by Venezeula.

In 2013, a Venezuelan gunboat intercepted a US-operated ship which was carrying out surveying works in the Essequibo river for Anadarko Petroleum, in 2018, Venezuela again intercepted a ship operated by ExxonMobil offshore Guyana.

The 2021 seizure of two Guyanese fishing boats near the Waini river and the sighting of two fighter Venezuela fighter jets in Guyana airspace also in 2021 heightened tensions.

But despite the threat and aggression, Guyana has sought a peaceful resolution to the claims laid by Venezuela by accepting the decision of the United Nations to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice which is currently hearing the matter.

In 2018, Guyana asked the International Court of Justice to confirm that the border which was laid down in an 1899 arbitration between Venezuela and the then-colony of British Guiana is valid.

Venezuela, while boycotting much of the proceedings, tried to stop the case from moving forward by arguing the United Kingdom should be involved in the case as Guyana was a British colony in 1899.

The International Court has dismissed that position by Venezuela.