Through a Communiqué, the Venezuelan government rejects that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana attempts to disregard what was agreed on the Geneva Agreement, which establishes «the legally binding obligations assumed» regarding the territories of Guayana Essequiba:
«The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the statement issued by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, within the framework of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement of 1966,» reads the text published by Foreign Minister Yván Gil on his channel on Telegram.
In this regard, Venezuela highlights that «in its communiqué, Guyana continues with its desperate and irresponsible attempt to distort and disown the legally binding obligations assumed with the signing of the Geneva Agreement.»
Similarly, in the text issued by the Bolivarian Government is emphasized that in 2023 was held a consultative referendum in which the majority of the people expressed their position in defense of the territory of Guayana Essequiba.
«On December 3, 2023, the Venezuelan people, through a referendum, overwhelmingly supported the Geneva Agreement as the only way to reach a practical and satisfactory solution to the territorial controversy and ratified its historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve said controversy,» as reads the statement.
Likewise, the communiqué indicates that «the only possible solution to the territorial controversy, within the framework of International Law, lies in the Geneva Agreement. Sooner or later, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will have to sit down at the negotiating table to reach the practical and mutually acceptable settlement mandated by this legally binding international treaty.»
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its historical rights over the Guayana Essequiba and reiterates that it will never renounce the territory that has belonged to it since its inception,” concludes the text.
Following, the full text of the communiqué:
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the communiqué issued by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, within the framework of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
In its communiqué, Guyana continues with its desperate and irresponsible attempt to distort and disown the legally binding obligations assumed upon signing the Geneva Agreement, according to which the territorial controversy over the Guayana Essequiba must be resolved through a practical and mutually acceptable settlement between the parties.
On December 3, 2023, the Venezuelan people, through a referendum, overwhelmingly supported the Geneva Agreement as the only path to achieving a practical and satisfactory solution to the territorial controversy and ratified its historic position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve said controversy.
Therefore, true to its historical position and to the popular mandate, Venezuela reiterates that it will not recognize any decision emanating from the International Court of Justice regarding the territorial controversy regarding the Guayana Essequiba. Guyana’s unilateral action before that body is a clear violation of the Geneva Agreement, whose obligations are incompatible with and mutually exclusive of any judicial ruling.
The only possible solution to the territorial controversy, within the framework of International Law, lies in the Geneva Agreement. Sooner or later, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will have to sit down at the negotiating table to reach the practical and mutually acceptable settlement mandated by this legally binding international treaty.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its historical rights over the Guayana Essequiba and reiterates that it will never renounce the territory that has belonged to it since its inception.
The sun of Venezuela rises in the Essequibo!”