Guyana's President Irfaan Ali asserted his nation's firm stance on Thursday during a high-stakes summit at the Argyle International Airport, aiming to address the recent escalation in the long-standing territorial dispute with Venezuela.
Regional allies urged the meeting, which follows a contentious referendum in Venezuela in which the populace voted to appropriate two-thirds of the territory belonging to their smaller neighbor, Guyana.
Guyana Urges Diplomacy Amid Venezuela's Territorial Claims
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali speaks during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not in frame) in Georgetown, Guyana on July 6, 2023.
In a dispute that has spanned more than a century, the region known as Essequibo has once again become a focal point of contention. Venezuela has just renewed its interest in the area, driven by the discovery of oil in the remote jungle region. In a move that has escalated tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has taken the step of redrawing maps and deploying troops to the border. This action has further intensified the ongoing standoff.
Guyana's President Irfaan Ali, ahead of the meeting, accused Venezuela of destabilizing the peace and stability of the region. He called on Venezuela to respect the orders of the International Court of Justice, which had instructed Venezuela not to annex the territory. Ali emphasized that Essequibo unequivocally belongs to Guyana, and there will be no concessions.
President Ali, in an interview with NBC News, attributed Venezuela's actions to "greed" and suggested that Maduro might be using the territorial dispute to divert attention from domestic challenges. Ali urged Maduro to take the matter to the International Court of Justice if he believes Venezuela has a legitimate claim.
"We encourage Venezuela to participate fully in the ICJ if they believe in any way, shape, or form that they have any case," Ali stated, adding that any moves by Venezuela to occupy the region would be illegal and against international law, according to Daily Mail.
Guyana's Call for Unity
Ali called for unity in the Western Hemisphere to send a clear message to Venezuela that annexing another country's territory is unacceptable. He drew parallels with Vladimir Putin's attempted takeover of Ukraine and expressed confidence that the United States and regional bodies would support their stance.
The meeting, attended by the prime ministers of Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed to ease tensions over Essequibo, a region rich in oil and minerals. Venezuela has already ordered its state-owned companies to explore and exploit resources in the disputed area, putting both militaries on alert.
While the outcome of the meeting remained uncertain, President Ali reiterated Guyana's stance that the dispute should be resolved solely by the International Court of Justice. In a letter to the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ali emphasized the Geneva Agreement's provisions, which call for the ICJ to settle any border controversy.
As the leaders convened for this critical meeting, the international community watched closely, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to avoid further escalation in this long-standing territorial dispute. The disagreement, fueled by historical claims and newfound resources, continues to pose challenges to regional stability, The Associated Press reported.
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