-demands Venezuela halt violation of international law

WHILE echoing its unequivocal support for Guyana, the Government of Belize has said that its country maintains its solidarity with the people of Guyana and will continue to advocate for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Further, in underscoring the core principles of international law, which includes the prohibition of the threat and use of force and respecting the sovereignty of other states, Belize also condemned the Bolivarian Republic for acting in contradiction to the recent ruling handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The country made its position known in a statement issued on Friday.

“The Government of Belize is deeply concerned about recently announced decisions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by which it purports to exercise rights of administrative sovereignty over the Essequibo region, an integral part of the territory of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”

“The decisions and plans announced by Venezuela challenge directly the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and heighten tensions between the two countries. Furthermore, Venezuela’s actions and decisions violate well-recognised rules of international law, as well as the binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on December 1, 2023 – in particular, the Court’s direction that Venezuela must not do anything that “might aggravate or extend” its territorial dispute with Guyana “or make it more difficult to resolve,” the statement said.

It was emphasised that all states must respect and adhere to norms and principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of other states, territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and the prohibition of the threat or use of force and peaceful resolution of disputes.

“Belize reiterates its strong support for the ongoing judicial process at the International Court of Justice, which provides for the peaceful settlement of the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.”

“Belize stresses that Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a zone of peace.”

“Belize stands in solidarity with the people of Guyana and is unequivocal in its longstanding and unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the statement added.