Guyana protests as Venezuela plans to elect governor for Essequibo

Jan 09, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed grave concern regarding recent actions and statements by the Government of Venezuela, which constitute clear violations of the Argyle Agreement of December 14, 2023, and the binding Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued on December 1, 2023.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement noted that the violation of the Argyle Agreement signed in the presence of regional and international interlocutors, unequivocally commits Guyana and Venezuela to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy between the two States.

This includes refraining from actions that could aggravate tensions or alter the current situation in the disputed territory, pending resolution in accordance with international law.

However, the announcement by President Nicolás Maduro on January 7, 2025, regarding the election of a “Governor of the Guayana Esequiba” by “the people of Guayana Esequiba” constitutes a direct violation of these commitments.

Guyana protests as Venezuela plans to elect governor for Essequibo

President Irfaan Ali and Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro shake hands after the Argyle agreement on 14 December 2023. (Guyana protests as Venezuela plans)

According to the Ministry, this unilateral action disregards the spirit of the Argyle Agreement, undermines the agreed framework for dialogue and peaceful coexistence, and significantly escalates tensions between our nations. The people of Guyana’s Essequibo region are Guyanese nationals who live in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

The statement noted: “It would be a flagrant violation of the most fundamental principles of international law, enshrined in the UN Charter, for Venezuela to attempt to conduct an election in Guyanese territory involving the participation of Guyanese nationals. Violation of the ICJ Order the ICJ, in its Order dated December 1, 2023, directed that Venezuela shall refrain from any actions that would modify the situation prevailing in the disputed territory, which is currently administered by Guyana. The Order also emphasized that both States must avoid actions that might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve,” the statement continued.

According to the Ministry, President Maduro’s statement, coupled with any actions to integrate the Essequibo region into Venezuela’s administrative framework, including by calling for an election “by the people of Guayana Esequiba” of a governor of “Guayana Esequiba,” represents a blatant disregard for this binding Order. The Ministry noted that “Such actions not only jeopardize the judicial process but also undermine the authority of the ICJ as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Guyana reserves the right to ask the Court for additional provisional measures in the event that Venezuela takes any steps toward conducting its so-called “election” in Guyanese territory or involving Guyanese nationals.”

As such, Guyana urges Venezuela to immediately cease all actions that contravene the Argyle Agreement and the ICJ Order and to recommit to the principles of international law and peaceful dispute resolution to which it agreed at Argyle. Guyana remains prepared to engage in constructive dialogue under the agreed frameworks, but it cannot condone or accept unilateral actions that threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(Guyana protests as Venezuela plans to elect governor for Essequibo)

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international interlocutors, international law, territorial controversy, The Argyle Agreement, Venezuela plans to elect governor for Essequibo

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