Dr Ali added that there was “nothing to fear” as Guyana’s international partners and international community “are ready to support us.” He said the Guyana Defence Force was “on full alert” and has contacted the Florida-based United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), one of the 11 unified combatant commands in the US Department of Defense. “The Guyana Defence Force is on full alert and has engaged its military counterparts including the US Southern Command,” he said, without elaborating. Dr Ali added that the US, United Kingdom, Brazil and France as well as the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guitteres have been contacted. “By defying the court. Venezuela has rejected international law, the rule of law generally fundamental justice and morality and the preservation of international peace and security. They have literally declared themselves an outlaw nation,” he said.
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Attorney General Anil Nandlall earlier Tuesday said the UN Security Council could be asked to approve economic sanctions on Venezuela or ask UN member states to take military action to force Venezuela to comply with the ICJ order that Venezuela must not take any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over Essequibo.
Related:
Notes: Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister, Amery Browne, has said that it’s a violation of the Caribbean Community’s policy for them to mediate a solution. Guyana was a founding member of CARICOM. Their aim was “to use [CARICOM] as leverage against Venezuela” and to prohibit them “from pursuing its Essequibo territorial claim”. [source]
Essequibo Referendum: ‘Yes’ Wins Overwhelmingly with Significant Turnout
With a reported turnout of more than 10.5 million voters, representing approximately 50% of the electoral roll, the Essequibo referendum represents an important victory for the Venezuelan people, reaffirming their commitment to defend their rightful claim over the Essequibo territory, and, simultaneously, it represents a victory for Chavismo, which was able to unite the people, even including far-right opposition sectors that traditionally oppose anything related to Chavismo.
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Surprise turn of Guyana’s position
In recent years, Guyana has adopted an aggressive and provocative approach regarding the territorial dispute with Venezuela over Essequibo. This stance has involved periodic military exercises in collaboration with the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Guyana was an active member of the now-defunct Lima Group, which, under the guidance of the White House, pursued a diplomatic campaign that marginalized and isolated Venezuela for an extended period. Additionally, there has been a notable uptick in reported xenophobic incidents targeting Venezuelan migrants. Guyana’s actions have extended to granting oil concessions, including in waters that are not part of the dispute and belong to Venezuela. President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has consistently rebuffed President Maduro’s repeated calls to seek a diplomatic resolution to the issue, among other contentious moves.
For comparison, the US had an approximate of 66.2% voter turnout rate in the 2020 election.
Venezuela to Prepare Legal Framework for Guayana Esequiba State
Venezuela Rejects ‘Unacceptable’ US Meddling in Essequibo Dispute
The country’s government views the 1899* ruling as a “fraud” due to the lack of Venezuelan representation at the tribunal as well as alleged evidence of collusion between the judges. Venezuela was purportedly represented by the United States at the Paris tribunal due to a lack of diplomatic relations with the UK at the time.
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Venezuela has consistently maintained its dispute over the 160,000 square kilometer territory since the 19th century. In 1966 a newly independent Guyana reached an agreement with Venezuela, known as the Geneva Agreement, which commits the countries to work out a mutually satisfactory solution.
Caracas views the Geneva Agreement as the only binding instrument to solve the border issue, with its position having been bolstered by Sunday’s referendum.
The longstanding territorial dispute flared up in 2015 following the discovery of massive offshore oil deposits. Since then Guyanese governments have proceeded with bidding processes for oil exploration in Essequibo’s undefined territorial waters, which Caracas argues violate the unresolved legal battle. [It does]**
Steps to Be Taken in New Phase of Defense of Guyana Essequiba
**5. To create the divisions of PDVSA Esequibo and CVG Esequibo for the exploration and exploitation of gas, oil and mining. [This would also violate the 1966 Geneva Agreement]
*Excerpts, on Essequibo, from “Venezuela: What Everyone Needs to Know” by Miguel Tinker Salas.
**Deep Dive into the 2020 Guyanese Election & Venezuela-Guyana Border Dispute
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 