With fresh claims from Venezuela, Guyana recommits to peaceful resolution of border controversy

The Government of Guyana on Saturday recommitted to the peaceful resolution of the border controversy it has with Venezuela as articulated by President Irfaan Ali in his recent address to the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Foreign Affairs Ministry here issued a statement following fresh claims by Venezuela in a Communique issued on September 30, 2022.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it took note of the document and “stands by the statement made by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali before the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2022.”

In his words, President Ali said: “In the matter of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – challenged and threatened by Venezuela as it is, we remain – to quote the Secretary General at the opening of the General Debate yesterday – “committed to make the most of every diplomatic tool for the pacific settlement of disputes, as set out in the Charter of the United Nations”.

But in the communique issued by Venezuela, the Nicolas Maduro government rejected what it said was Guyana’s misrepresentation and manipulations regarding the controversy.

Venezuela is claiming that Dr Ali’s speech at the UNGA disrespected Venezuela’s historical and fair position and accused Guyana of fake accusations on the issue.

In this case, Guyana wants ‘judicial settlement’ as determined by the Secretary-General himself.

According to the statement from the Foreign Ministry, the world’s nations can be assured that Guyana shall remain true to those peaceful processes and deny every effort to depart from them.

The International Court of Justice has already affirmed its jurisdiction in the matter.

President Ali had said Guyana will not support any use of force to settle any dispute or controversy among nations.

Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.