Venezuela rejects, forcefully, that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana intends to distort and manipulate its position on the Essequibo case, and in particular the statement of its ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Bricket, dated September 26, 2023.
Following, the full Communiqué:
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly rejects that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and in particular, the statement of its ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Bricket, dated September 26, 2023, intends to distort and manipulate before the International Community, the spirit of the Official Communiqués recently issued by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the speech given by Chancellor Yván Gil before the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2023.
Venezuela ratifies the words of its chancellor, regarding US interventionism in the territorial controversy with Guyana, which is the product of a dispossession carried out by the British Empire in 1899, invoking the Monroe Doctrine and even trying to militarize the region. through the recurrent carrying out of military exercises for intimidation purposes, as well as the protection of actions undertaken by the transnational Exxon Mobil, which has openly become the main financial support of the Guyanese political class.
Additionally, and for the sake of transparency, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela points out the following:
1. The official statements issued by the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in no way constitute a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
2. Venezuela’s historical performance has demonstrated its respect for international law and for the maintenance of international peace and security, which are precisely today the safeguards that assist it in preserving its integrity.
3. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its firm decision to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is why it ratifies the content of the Official Communiqués issued on September 19, 20 and 23, 2023, as well as the pronouncement of the Chancellor of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela before the General Assembly of the United Nations, which present the arguments of the Venezuelan State in the just and necessary defense of its security and territorial integrity.
4. Guyana’s unilateral activities are not in accordance with international law, as they attempt to be carried out in maritime areas pending delimitation and that affect Venezuelan maritime areas.
5. When Guyana affirms, among other irregularities and illegalities, that “all the activities it has authorized, including in its Stabroek Block, have been carried out, are being carried out or will be carried out in maritime areas in which only Guyana enjoys sovereignty or exclusive sovereign rights”, seeks to unilaterally convert its claim into an established maritime boundary. This position is contrary to international law and basic principles of law applicable to the delimitation of maritime borders, which establish that these borders can only be established by agreement between the interested States.
In relation to the controversy over Guayana Esequiba, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates that the 1966 Geneva Agreement outlines a roadmap agreed upon between both parties to achieve a peaceful resolution to the controversy, through political negotiation, and, In this sense, it ratifies its willingness to participate in a high-level meeting, promoted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to, in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual respect and good neighborliness, continue with the negotiations provided for in said legal instrument.”
Caracas September 27, 2023
