Amid the ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the mineral and forest-rich county of Essequibo, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that teams from the United States Department of Defense will arrive in Guyana next week.
Maintaining peace and diplomacy
Vice President Jagdeo emphasized Guyana’s commitment to peace and diplomacy throughout the dispute.
He highlighted that Georgetown has consistently relied on diplomacy and international law to resolve the issue while accusing Venezuela of spreading misinformation and portraying Guyana as the aggressor.
Jagdeo stated that Georgetown has never threatened peace as it depends heavily on diplomacy and international law, while Venezuela is actively engaged in peddling misinformation, attempting to paint Guyana as the aggressor.
International support
Jagdeo pointed out that Guyana has international support in the ongoing controversy, citing the 1899 Arbitral Award and the 1966 Geneva Agreement as resolutions that have already addressed the decade-old dispute.
He underscored the backing of international organizations such as CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS), as well as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
ICJ involvement
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recently been involved in the dispute, with Guyana claiming that Venezuela intends to gain ownership of Essequibo through a referendum scheduled for December 3.
Both countries presented their cases during hearings at the ICJ, with Guyana expressing concerns about Venezuela’s referendum plans.
President Ali’s assurance
President Irfaan Ali recently visited several communities in Region One, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to peacefully resolving the ongoing border dispute.
He emphasized that Guyana is adhering to international guidelines and encouraged Guyanese nationals to remain vigilant against Venezuela’s propaganda designed to instill fear among the population.
Signs of de-escalation
Meanwhile, there are reports indicating signs of de-escalation in the disputed border area.
Venezuelan troops are reportedly withdrawing from near the border, and top Venezuelan officials have reduced their references to the Essequibo County on social media platforms.
