By Zoila Palma: The Caribbean Community has issued a statement following a letter by the President of Guyana over the public display of a controversial map by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
The map, shown during official engagements in CARICOM member states, depicts Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela, a move Georgetown has condemned as a provocative misrepresentation amid the ongoing territorial dispute.
CARICOM says that it “reaffirms that each Member State retains the sovereign right to conduct bilateral relations with external partners. This principle is well established and respected within the Community. Those engagements are conducted in a manner consistent with the shared obligations and collective commitments of CARICOM.”
CARICOM noted that at the centre of those commitments stands the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the binding legal instrument that defines the Community, its objectives, and the conduct expected of its Member States. The Treaty commits Members to the preservation of the Community’s integrity and cohesion in their external relations.
In the exercise of their sovereign rights, Member States remain mindful of their collective responsibilities to the Treaty and to uphold the principles of international law, respect for judicial processes and good neighbourly relations.
CARICOM further “underscores that Community platforms and engagements should not be used, whether directly or indirectly, to advance or appear to legitimize claims that are the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings before the International Court of Justice.”
In addition, CARICOM reiterated its longstanding and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, and for the peaceful resolution of the controversy through the Court remains firm and unchanged.
CARICOM says that it remains committed to unity, to the rule of law, and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law.
The post International News: Caribbean Community reaffirms support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Caribbean Community has issued a statement following a letter by the President of Guyana over the public display of a controversial map by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The map, shown during official engagements in CARICOM member states, depicts Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela, a move Georgetown has condemned
The post International News: Caribbean Community reaffirms support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
