Guyana’s territory is ‘a settled fact of history & law’ – President in Independence Anniversary address 

In a stirring address on Sunday night, President Dr. Irfaan Ali ushered in Guyana’s 59th Independence Anniversary with a firm reaffirmation of Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“…the territory of Guyana is a settled fact of history and law.

“We are not aggressors, we are protectors, but let no one mistake our peacefulness for weakness. If our land is threatened, we shall rise as one nation, one people, one destiny,” Dr. Ali said in his Independence Day address at Albion, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

At midnight, just after the President’s address, Guyana celebrated its 59th Independence Anniversary. It was a time for celebrating the country’s progression and development but President Ali zeroed in on Venezuela’s aggressions in his speech.

Venezuela, for decades, has claimed Guyana’s Essequibo region despite the border between the two countries being settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award. Guyana has taken the border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it is hoping for a final binding ruling that reaffirms the Arbitral Award.

Though the case is ongoing, Venezuela continues to escalate tensions. Earlier Sunday, Venezuela conducted widely condemned elections for representatives of the Essequibo region. Those elections were conducted in Venezuela and not anywhere in the Essequibo region.

In his address, President Ali maintained that Guyana would defend itself from any aggression. He also highlighted that the country’s independence brought with it the supreme authority- sovereignty- to govern itself.

“Independence was never just a matter of geography or autonomy. It was a sacred promise, a pledge that the people of Guyana- regardless of race, religion, class, or creed- would together build a future,” the Guyanese Head of State said.

He began his address reaffirming Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and then continued by reflecting on Guyana’s development and his government’s plan for the future.

From healthcare to education, the President said all Guyanese must enjoy world-class services. He also vowed that the economic landscape would continue to enjoy a rapid expansion, though the government intends to focus more on empowering small and medium-sized businesses and helping citizens generate more disposable income.

As he has outlined in other addresses, the President also said his government will focus on developing digital services here.

The date for this year’s General and Regional Elections- September 1, 2025- was also announced by the President.