…says it stands in support of Guyana, ICJ jurisdiction
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has noted its disappointment with the Decree issued by Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro claiming exclusive sovereign rights to the Essequibo region while the matter is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a statement on Tuesday, CARICOM said that it remains firmly against any acts of aggression by Venezuela to Guyana and is in full support of the ICJ in its attempts to bring a peaceful end to the age-old controversy.
“The Caribbean Community is deeply disappointed and concerned at the decree and subsequent statements by Venezuela with respect to that country’s border controversy with Guyana, including intimations of the creation of a strategic area of national development called ‘Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade’. The Caribbean Community is in full support of the judicial process underway at the International Court of Justice which is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries. CARICOM reiterates in the strongest possible terms its firm and unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. CARICOM firmly repudiates any acts of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana,” the statement read.
Since Maduro’s Decree, the United States (U.S.) and Canada have also thrown their support behind Guyana and the ICJ’s ruling that it has jurisdiction to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Though President Irfaan Ali has expressed his rejection of Maduro’s Decree, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, in a statement 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.
