– as Guyana mobilises international allies to thwart Venezuela’s ‘desperate attempt’ to seize Essequibo
GIVEN the direct threat to Guyana and regional stability, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said that his government has taken a proactive stance and is working with international allies to counter any “desperate attempt” by Venezuela to seize Guyana’s Essequibo territory.

In an exclusive interview with CNN via Skype, on Wednesday, President Ali detailed the steps the Guyanese government is taking, working closely with international allies to prevent what he called Venezuela’s “reckless” actions.
President Ali first began by acknowledging the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order, prohibiting Venezuela from taking any actions related to the Essequibo region.

Despite this, he said that Venezuela has escalated tensions by announcing measures to annex Essequibo and imposing restrictions, including an ultimatum for investors to leave within three months.
“What is concerning is the statement made by President Maduro to give effect to the questions in the referenda and in the establishment of a state of Essequibo, the issuing of ID cards, and giving the ultimatum is basically given an ultimatum to investors, which includes US investors, Chinese investors, to remove from the region within three months. Well, we’ve made it very clear to the investors and to every Guyanese that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

“So, we have told our investors they have no fear. We are on the right side of history, the right side of the law. There is absolutely no fear in investing in Essequibo, which belongs to Guyana,” President Ali said.
Describing the situation as a ‘direct threat,’ President Ali underscored the urgency of Guyana’s response, stating, “We are taking every precautionary measure against what is now a desperate attempt by Venezuela to seize our territory.”
He highlighted diplomatic efforts, with immediate contact made to the United Nations Secretary-General and an official return to the United Nations Security Council.

The Head of State underscored his nation’s commitment to international law and the ICJ but stressed the need for proactive measures.
“We believe in the international courts of justice. That is why we’re before the ICJ, and we believe the ICJ is where this controversy must be settled,” he stated.

During the live programme, President Ali outlined a multi-faceted approach involving diplomatic engagement with allies and friends in the region, including the US Department of Defence, the State Department, and the White House.
He mentioned engagements with regional bodies such as CARICOM, Commonwealth, and OAS, emphasising the broad international coalition mobilised to prevent Venezuela from acting recklessly.

“We are working now with SOCOM (United States Southern Command) and the US Department of Defence, and hopefully, within the next 24 hours, a lot of strong statements and strong communication to Venezuela will be released,” President Ali asserted.
He revealed a conversation with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who assured him of Brazil’s “strong support” and opposition to Venezuela’s actions.

President Ali expressed his expectation that international pressure, particularly from the US, would deter Venezuela.
“We cannot allow a situation like Ukraine in this Western Hemisphere. We cannot allow the annexation of territory in this Western Hemisphere,” he warned.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has remained steadfast in its support for Guyana amidst the border controversy with Venezuela and has made it clear that the region must remain “a zone of peace.”
Recently, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley, and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that CARICOM has always been in support of Guyana’s territorial integrity.
The Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and other international agencies have also offered their “full support” to Guyana.

Gonsalves said the ongoing controversy between Venezuela and Guyana is an old one, and that Guyana bases its position on the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Gonsalves said: “CARICOM has always defended the territorial inviolability of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said that CARICOM has issued a very strong statement in support of Guyana.
She said that while she stated some weeks back that in spite of the controversy, Venezuela is a friend of the region as well, she would wish to see the region remain one of peace.

Mottley related that this statement has incited condemnation. However, she added: “I have come to public life to promote peace, not division.”
She continued to assert that Guyana’s position has remained firm and resolute, with the full support of the region.