The National Assembly on Friday passed a motion reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty over its 83,000 square miles of national territory and strongly denouncing Venezuela’s continued acts of aggression, including recent efforts to annex the Essequibo region. That position was reaffirmed on May 1, 2025, after Guyana alerted the World Court to Venezuela’s intent to hold the May 25 elections.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) once again upheld its directive, warning both countries not to take any steps that could aggravate or extend the conflict. The government-tabled motion received bipartisan support, signaling rare and resolute national unity on the long-standing border controversy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, MP, who presented the motion to the House, emphasised Guyana’s unwavering commitment to peace and its firm stance in defense of its territorial integrity. “Venezuela’s decision… drew condemnation from the Organisation of American States, the Commonwealth, and the Caribbean Community [CARICOM],” Todd said, referencing international support for Guyana’s position.
The motion reaffirmed Guyana’s peaceful approach to the dispute and its reliance on the ICJ to resolve the matter legally and diplomatically.
Addressing recent speculation about the ICJ’s internal deliberations, Minister Todd clarified the role of the three judges who voted against Guyana’s most recent procedural request. He explained that their vote was based on procedural grounds only—not on the substance of the case.
“They indicated that they agreed in substance that Venezuela must refrain from conducting elections or preparing to conduct elections for our territory,” Todd stated, reinforcing Guyana’s legal position.
The motion follows Venezuela’s December 3, 2023, so-called “Consultative Referendum,” which sought to unilaterally annex the Essequibo region by renaming it “Guayana Esequiba.” In response, Guyana filed a request for provisional measures at the ICJ on October 30, 2023.
On December 1, 2023, the Court ruled that Venezuela must refrain from taking any action that could alter the current status quo, under which Guyana exercises effective control over the disputed territory. The Court also warned both nations against taking steps that could escalate or aggravate the dispute.
The passing of Friday’s motion sends a clear and united message to the international community: Guyana stands firm in the defense of its sovereignty and will not tolerate unlawful attempts to violate its territorial integrity.
