Venezuela and Guyana Commit to Peaceful Resolution in Territorial Dispute
Venezuelan and Guyanese leaders commit to peaceful resolution of land dispute, establishing a joint commission to address the issue and pledging to avoid using force
Venezuela and Guyana's leaders announced on Thursday that they will not resort to the use of force in resolving their dispute over an oil-rich region of Guyanese land. Instead, they agreed to establish a joint commission to address the issue. However, the two nations' perspectives on the Essequibo region remained largely divergent following a day-long summit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the summit affirmed Guyana's position that the matter should be settled by the International Court of Justice, while Venezuela reiterated its lack of consent and recognition of the Court's jurisdiction in the border controversy.
Recent tensions have escalated over the land, representing two-thirds of the Guyanese national territory, following a Venezuelan referendum approving the establishment of a Venezuelan state within the disputed region. Guyana has labeled this as a step toward annexation and an "existential" threat.
Both countries have issued a joint declaration agreeing to "not threaten or use force against one another under any circumstances" and to "refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them."
Each country's foreign minister and technical staff will be included in the joint commission to address mutually agreed upon matters, with an update expected within three months. The two presidents shook hands earlier Thursday at the Argyle International Airport, surrounded by advisers and officials from regional Caribbean blocs. Both countries also agreed to meet again in Brazil to discuss any matters with implications for the disputed territory.
A man strolls past a mural advocating for a referendum to propose the incorporation of the Guyana-administered region of Essequibo, in the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas on November 28, 2023. Venezuela is set to conduct a contentious plebiscite on December 3, to annex a disputed oil-rich territory controlled by neighboring Guyana. The administration of Nicolas Maduro has arranged the vote to inquire if Venezuelans are open to annexing the Essequibo region, which accounts for two-thirds of small Guyana but is claimed by Caracas. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
A Venezuelan vote on an oil-rich region of Guyana raises concerns of a South American military conflict
During a news conference held in between meetings, Ali informed reporters that Guyana is committed to seeing the matter determined by the ICJ and that the outcome will be respected. He emphasized that Guyana is not the aggressor and does not seek war, but reserves the right to work with partners to defend the country.
Venezuela has continuously asserted its ownership of the Essequibo and does not accept the 1899 decision made by an international tribunal to establish the borders.
The Venezuelan government released a statement on X detailing a meeting that took place on Thursday, where the two countries' leaders expressed their commitment to ongoing dialogue and finding a resolution to the dispute over the Essequibo territory.
Maduro subsequently posted a copy of the declaration on X, expressing, "Great day of productive dialogue!" The Prime Ministers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica, along with representatives from the UN and Brazil, served as mediators during the meetings.
The current leaders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica also hold leadership positions in two significant regional blocs: the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
