The World Court has spoken, delivering a binding ruling in favour of Guyana against the aggressors, Venezuela.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) made it explicitly clear that Venezuela must take no actions that seek to “modify” the territory under dispute and administered rightly by Guyana which is referred to as the region in the Essequibo.
It ordered both countries in the long-standing controversy, unanimously, to refrain from taking any measure to aggravate conditions related to the 1899 arbitral award case currently before the court.

The Court ruling is being celebrated by all countries in the world including those in CARICOM, the Commonwealth, Latin America and South America who stand on the side of international law, diplomacy and respect for territorial sovereignty.
At home, Guyanese are now joyous and upbeat about the Court’s ruling much more than some have been in recent weeks. They know now that the world is on their side and that Venezuela has been sternly warned about doing things that are tantamount to aggression and annexation of the Essequibo.

While some Guyanese are still not fully happy with the orders handed down in Friday’s ruling, which did not deal with the question of the sham referendum being exercised in its current form today in Venezuela, they are generally satisfied and more at ease because the Court’s ruling is definitely in its favour and understands Guyana’s worry over the controversy.
This brings today’s activity in the two countries into sharp focus and should offer the world a better picture as to how Guyana and Venezuela are treating with the ruling of the Court.
In Guyana, citizens showed up in their numbers lining the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo counties to show people that Guyana is united in its conviction that the Essequibo region has always belonged historically, geographically and factually to Guyana. They were peaceful and patriotic in their cause, sending another strong message to the Maduro Government that Guyanese are not prepared to give up one ounce of territory to them.

Guyanese have shown that they are prepared to stand on principle, law and justice. The circle of unity was a sight to behold and breathtakingly refreshing to see people from opposition unite with their counterparts from government and the ordinary people to send the messages of support, peace and solidarity with all inhabitants of the Essequibo.
Holding hands, praying and calling for peace and good sense to prevail is good and just but must not be mixed up or confused for weakness or a lack of affirmative action. Guyana, from the standpoint of diplomacy and defence, stands with a plan of action that conforms to international standards of law.

No one was forced or coerced into supporting the circle of unity that took place earlier today and throughout the remainder of the day and weeks to come unlike the sham referendum taking place right now in Venezuela, which in itself, partially goes counter to international law and respect for the ICJ’s ruling in general.
Today is a day to be proud of the fact that we are Guyanese and one. We must put our differences that divide us aside, for the moment, and stand up continuously in peace and law for Guyana as we prepare to defend every inch of Guyana’s Essequibo and territory following the outcome of this sham and disrespectful referendum in Venezuela.

Whichever way the wind will blow, Guyana’s Government must have the full and unfettered support of its people, as shown and demonstrated today, as it prepares to navigate what may very well be challenging times ahead for this nation.
All the world’s eyes are watching Venezuela’s action following this neo-imperialistic referendum that it pulled out of the blue as an internal tool to whip up sympathy and put back popular appeal to the dying and drowning Venezuelan administration. Will it be poorly attended or boycotted by right thinking citizens of Venezuela who knows that those are not the issues that should be on the ballot?

Will Venezuela show respect for international law and respect for the top international court?
Will Venezuela finally join the proceedings at World Court and defend its spurious claims against Guyana leading to another finalised settlement?
How will Venezuela prepare to deal with all of its man-made problems of basic food shortages, poor governance, super inflation, human rights violations, the US impending sanctions on Venezuela oil and gas industry and deals, US political and local prisoners, elections, and now the border controversy?

Will Venezuela continue the current status quo and continue its claim that it was cheated but not willing to show how to the ICJ?
How will Venezuela act in the post referendum period?
Guyana does not hold its breath but watches closely relying on the world bodies and international law that protects small states like Guyana.