Dr. Jagdeo says

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the oil auction bidders have not raised any concerns about Venezuela’s recent statement against Guyana.
Dr. Jagdeo, during a press conference on Thursday, affirmed that Guyana will continue to pursue its advancements in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“We have not heard from any of the bidders that they are concerned about the statement, and it is not surprising that Venezuela would issue this statement,” he said.
As he went on to say: “They have done so almost for every major event, when we have tried to utilise the economic resources of our country, both on land and in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Dr. Jagdeo said: “This is our sovereign Guyanese territory, and the 14 blocks are all in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
He then referenced the responses by the Government of Guyana, the Organisation of American States (OAS), along with several other international institutions, which have rallied behind Guyana’s sovereignty.
The following is the recent statement by the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in response to a communique issued by Venezuela:
“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is compelled to respond to a Communique issued today by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which complained of Guyana’s intention to put up for bid certain oil blocks in the waters adjacent to its coast, and concluded with a threat to ‘apply all the necessary measures’ to prevent operations licensed by Guyana in these waters, which Venezuela claims as its own.
“Guyana considers this a threat not only to Guyana but to regional and international peace and security, as well as to all of Guyana’s current and potential investment partners.
Guyana has no doubt that under international law the waters in question form part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, where Guyana alone enjoys sovereign rights over the resources in the sea and beneath the seabed.
“If Venezuela disputes this, then it is obliged by the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the OAS to employ only peaceful means to seek a resolution. Both Charters prohibit the threat or use of force against another State.
“Guyana, therefore, implores Venezuela to honor its obligation to pursue only peaceful means to settle any dispute it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court Justice, where Guyana has sought confirmation of the land boundary between the two States.
“Allowing the Court to decide any other dispute between the parties would ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law.”