Canada concerned about Venezuela’s claims on Essequibo

The High Commission of Canada to Guyana has called on Venezuela to respect the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. Their call came hours after Venezuela had accused Guyana of meddling in its affairs when President Irfaan Ali rejected a decree made by President Nicholas Maduro claiming exclusive sovereign rights to the Essequibo region.

“Venezuela’s recent claim that it has sovereignty over the area adjacent to Guyana’s Essequibo coast is concerning. The decision is in the hands of the International Court of Justice and this judicial process must be respected,” the High Commission urged.

Earlier on Monday, Venezuela rejected statements made by President Irfaan Ali regarding the ICJ ruling that it has jurisdiction to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

The day before, Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak had also thrown US support behind the ICJ ruling that it has jurisdiction.

However, in a statement shared by Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, the Spanish-speaking country claimed that Guyana was being led astray by ExxonMobil to meddle in the internal affairs of Venezuela.

The area in question is part of the Stabroek Block being drilled by US oil giant, ExxonMobil. Only recently the ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction in the Guyana-Venezuela territorial border issue and would give the final judgment on the matter. In his response to Maduro’s decree, President Ali had referred Venezuela to the 1899 Arbitral Award and expressed confidence that Guyana’s territory would remain as-is.