Guyana Rejects China’s Call for Bilateral Negotiations on Border Controversy with Venezuela

The Government of Guyana has firmly rejected comments made by a senior Chinese diplomat suggesting that the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela could be resolved through bilateral negotiations, instead reiterating its commitment to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the sole and lawful avenue for settlement.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Huang Rui urged both Guyana and Venezuela to “solve the border issue through friendly consultation and negotiations.” His remarks came in response to questions about a recent incursion by a Venezuelan naval vessel into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), an act that further heightened regional tensions.

“We respect all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has never intervened and does not intend to intervene in any country’s internal affairs,” Rui stated.

In a strongly worded response issued Wednesday, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation rejected the Chinese diplomat’s comments, asserting that the matter is already before the ICJ and cannot be subject to bilateral talks.

Full statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation rejects the statement made on April 16, 2025, by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China that Guyana and Venezuela ‘can solve the border issue through friendly consultations and negotiations’.

The Ministry reminds the Government of the People’s Republic of China of the position made pellucidly clear on several occasions by the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana that the matter is pending before the International Court of Justice by decision of the United Nations Secretary General, in accordance with the parties’ 1966 Geneva Agreement on settlement of the controversy.

The Argyle Declaration of December 14, 2023, recognizes ‘Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy….’ To that end, and in order not to undermine the jurisdiction or authority of the Court as the appropriate forum for the resolution of this controversy, Guyana will not engage in discussion of any matter that has been brought before the Court.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has taken note that there has been no comment from the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the blatant announcement by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela that it intends to conduct elections on 25 May 2025 for a governor and legislative council of ‘Guayana Esequiba State,’ which is the name Venezuela has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region. This is a clear violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The principles of international law and mutual respect will continue to guide the actions of the Government of Guyana in its interactions with all member states of the international community.”

The Essequibo region, comprising more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory, has long been the subject of a false territorial claim by Venezuela. The controversy is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is examining the case following a referral by the United Nations Secretary-General under the provisions of the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The matter was formally submitted to the ICJ in March 2018 by the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration, led by President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Notably, a previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, led by Bharrat Jagdeo, reportedly discussed the possibility of resolving the controversy by offering Venezuela a sea access corridor through Guyanese territory. However, both Guyana and Venezuela are coastal states with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, making such a proposal ludicrous.

Tensions escalated in March when a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s EEZ and approached offshore oil operations managed by ExxonMobil. More recently, Venezuela announced plans to hold regional elections in the Essequibo area—an act Guyana deems a blatant violation of its sovereignty.

Guyana has consistently maintained that only the ICJ has jurisdiction to settle the territorial controversy, and continues to call on the international community to respect and uphold this legal process.