The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela informed, by means of a communiqué, that it will not participate in the procedure promoted by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in the International Court of Justice, for lacking this instance any “jurisdiction over an action unilaterally proposed by the neighboring country, which does not has the consent of Venezuela”.
“This decision, duly informed to the International Court of Justice, is consonant with Venezuela’s historical position of not acknowledging the jurisdiction of said international judicial instance -in any case- and even less for the resolution of this controversy, in which Venezuela will not spare efforts in defense of their legitimate rights over Guayana Esequiba”.
Following, read the statement issued by the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs:
“The Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs reports that today, June 18, 2018, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, represented by a delegation headed by the Executive Vice President of the Republic, Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, and accompanied by the Chancellor of the Republic, Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, has attended the meeting convened by the President of the International Court of Justice, Mr. Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, in relation to the unilateral demand presented by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regarding to Guayana Esequiba.
The representation of Venezuela, after having presented its respects to such an honorable international judicial instance, has informed the President of the Court, by means of a letter signed by the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro Moros, of his sovereign decision not to participate in the procedure that Guyana intends to initiate, because the Court manifestly lacks jurisdiction over an action unilaterally proposed by the neighboring country, which does not have the consent of Venezuela.
This decision, duly informed to the International Court of Justice, is consonant with Venezuela’s historical position of not acknowledging the jurisdiction of said international judicial instance (in any case) and even less for the resolution of this controversy, in which Venezuela will spare no effort in the defense of their legitimate rights over Guayana Esequiba.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela took the opportunity to reiterate to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana the invitation to resume negotiations in good faith with the widest, sincerest and best disposition to reach the practical and satisfactory arrangement for both Parties pursued by the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
With the Bolivarian spirituality that our Liberator Simón Bolívar anticipated for the world, and peace diplomacy expressed in diversity, respect, fraternity, solidarity and cooperation, we will make it possible for the integration and prosperity deserved throughout our America to be bastions, surpassing forever, the aftermath of the imperial spoils of the past in the gift of the future and the dignity of all our peoples.”
Caracas, June 18, 2018
