TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne has reaffirmed his nation’s support for Guyana in the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.
In an interview on the sidelines of an event, the minister was asked whether his country is an ally of Venezuela’s, to which he replied, “Trinidad and Tobago’s position is identical to the position of the Caribbean Community.”

He also said that another statement from CARICOM will be rolled out soon. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) last Friday granted Guyana provisional measures to prevent any action by Venezuela that could lead to the annexation of its territory.

The decision was handed down by ICJ President Justice Joan E. Donoghue at the Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of administration of The Netherlands.
The court ordered that pending the decision of the substantive case, Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails with the territory involved in the controversy, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo.

As an additional measure, the court has also ordered that “both parties refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the controversy before the court, or make it more difficult to resolve.”
CARICOM has called on Venezuela to respect the ICJ’s order, which bars it from taking control of Guyana’s Essequibo region by any means.

“Venezuela cannot, by a referendum or otherwise, violate international law and disregard the Order of the world’s highest Court.
“CARICOM expects Venezuela to uphold the ICJ’s Order of 1 December, 2023. It also insists that Venezuela complies with international law in all respects, and the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this connection, calls on it to take no actions in violation of them,” CARICOM said in a statement.

CARICOM has also demanded that Venezuela pursue its claims within the law and the legal process.
The Commonwealth has also offered its “full support” to Guyana in the wake of the ICJ’s ruling granting Guyana provisional measures regarding the Bolivarian Republic’s action.

Commenting on the court’s ruling, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC., said that the body “offers its full support” to Guyana which is a “valued Commonwealth member” and is encouraged by the support also shown by its brothers and sisters in CARICOM, and by many other states.
She said that the Commonwealth reiterates its “collective faith in due process, respect for national territorial sovereignty, international law, global order, peace and security and cordial international relations in the Caribbean and the Latin American region.”