President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali committed to peace in its border dispute against Venezuela over the oil rich Essequibo region but insisted that it will not back down from defending its sovereignty.
In an effort to de-escalate the tension, President Ali met face-to-face with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside representatives from CARICOM, Brazil, the United Nations, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
In a press conference during a break from talks, Guyana’s president made it clear that he is not backing down against Venezuela.
“All of this belongs to Guyana,” Ali said, pointing to a thick leather bracelet on his right wrist featuring the outline of Guyana. “No narrative propaganda (or) decree can change this. This is Guyana.”
President Ali said that the controversy must be resolved at the International Court of Justice.
“I made it clear that the process leading to the ICJ is part of the Geneva Agreement and that the Geneva Agreement provides for a UN Secretary-General to determine where the controversy must be finally determined and it is the UN Secretary-General acting within the confines of the Geneva Agreement who determine that that place is the ICJ,” he said.
Though the dispute is before the International Court of Justice, a final ruling could be years away. Voters in Venezuela this month rejected the court’s jurisdiction and backed the creation of a new state in a referendum.
Not interested in war
President Ali also made it clear that he was not interested in a war against the country.
“We are a peace-abiding country and people … We have no other ambition than to pursue the peaceful co-existence with Venezuela and every country in this region.”
He said Guyana agreed with all the regional partners that the priority is peace and that every threat of force or use of force must be denounced and that every party must take responsibility.
“We made it very clear that Guyana is not the aggressor. Guyana is not seeking war but Guyana reserves the right to work with all our partners to ensure the defence of our country.”
He said all of Guyana’s partnerships are based on the defense of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He also noted both parties are committed to ensuring the region remains a zone of peace.
“I made it very clear that within the sovereign space of Guyana, we will continue to do everything that promotes the development and advancement of our people and all partnerships necessary to ensure the defense and protection of what is ours in accordance with international law,” he said.
