The recent actions taken by Venezuela’s parliament to approve the creation of a state in the disputed Essequibo region represent a direct challenge to the principles of the Argyle Agreement and threaten the stability of the region. Despite the gravity of this situation, it is disheartening to note the absence of significant condemnation from the international community. This inaction underscores the urgent need for a united front in defense of peace, sovereignty, and adherence to international law.
The Argyle Agreement, forged through the efforts of regional leaders and international observers, was promoted as an action designed in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation, and respect for territorial integrity. It was signed in December 2023 in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with the aim of resolving the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. The agreement was witnessed and supported by a diverse array of esteemed individuals and organizations, including:
1. His Excellency Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
2. His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
3. The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, who served as the Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
4. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, who chaired the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
5. His Excellency Mr. Celso Amorim, Special Adviser and Personal Envoy of H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
6. The Prime Ministers of CARICOM member states, including the Honourable Philip Davis of The Bahamas, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, the Honourable Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, Honourable Terrence Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago.
7. His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, represented by Their Excellencies Earle Courtenay Rattray and Miroslav Jenca.
8. His Excellency Alvaro Leyva Durán, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, and Mr. Gerardo Torres Zelaya, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras, representing CELAC Troika.
The witnesses and supporters of the Argyle Agreement reiterated their commitment to maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. The agreement emphasized principles such as non-aggression, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for international law, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
However, Venezuela’s recent actions in unilaterally declaring Essequibo as its territory constitute a grave violation of the Argyle Agreement and international norms. This move not only undermines the ongoing legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice but also disregards the commitment to peaceful coexistence and dialogue enshrined in the agreement.
It is therefore alarming that none of the witnesses and supporters of the Argyle Agreement have publicly condemned Venezuela’s aggression and direct challenge to the Argyle Agreement. The silence of our friends undermine the credibility of the agreement and emboldens further acts of defiance by Venezuela. The regional leaders who encouraged and promoted the Argyle Agreement must speak with one voice in denouncing Venezuela’s illegal expansionism and reaffirming the principles of the Agreement.
Every regional leader, witness and supporter of the agreement now has a responsibility to publicly condemn Venezuela’s contempt, duplicity and outright disrespect. Failure to act decisively risks unraveling the progress made towards resolving the border controversy, emboldening Venezuela to become even more aggressive, further threatening the peace and security of the region.
