CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, has strongly supported Guyana in its border dispute with Venezuela.
The regional body declared Venezuela’s proposed referendum on the disputed territory’s annexation as legally invalid and emphasized its potential to disrupt peace and security in the region.
CARICOM expressed concern about the five questions posed in the referendum, particularly two that, if approved, could lead to the annexation of a significant portion of Guyana’s internationally recognized territory, establishing a state within Venezuela known as Guyana’s Essequibo.
In response to the escalating situation, members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations convened to address the threats posed by Venezuela.
The committee, including Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and opposition representative Amazon Walton-Desir, holds the authority to scrutinize policies and administration to ensure they align with the nation’s best interests.
Both the government and opposition in Guyana are standing united against Venezuela’s territorial claims.
President Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton recently met and jointly affirmed their commitment to ramp up diplomatic efforts and launch a comprehensive public relations campaign countering Venezuelan misinformation.
They emphasized that Venezuela’s claim misinterprets the Geneva Agreement and constitutes a blatant violation of international law.
The dispute over the Essequibo territory, known for its significant oil and gas resources, has been a longstanding issue between Guyana and Venezuela.
In April, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asserted its jurisdiction over the matter, a decision that could ultimately determine the rightful owner of the resource-rich area.