By Zoila Palma: Today, the President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali wrote to CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrence Drew, formally objecting to Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodríguez’s public display of a map during official engagements within CARICOM member states “which falsely portrays Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.”
“Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. However, it is deeply regrettable that such engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory,” the Guyanese President explained.
“The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risks being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance. No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, should create the impression that the Community’s platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of Justice. CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements,” he added.
In addition, the President of Guyana said that this is a “provocative assertion of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected, and which is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.”
Ali further added that “Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the Court, seek to normalise by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law. Such conduct does not strengthen Venezuela’s case; it undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement, international law, and good neighbourly relations.”
Ali also reminded all CARICOM Heads of Government of their repeated and unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the Court.
That position was reaffirmed most recently at the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
Guyana says that it remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution and
expects all States, including Venezuela, to act consistently with the principles of the United Nations Charter, refrain from provocation, and respect the ongoing judicial process.
The post International News: President of Guyana objects to Venezuela’s map display appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali wrote to CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrence Drew, formally objecting to Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodríguez’s public display of a map during official engagements within CARICOM member states “which falsely portrays Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of
The post International News: President of Guyana objects to Venezuela’s map display appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
