–UK Foreign Secretary emphasises; says Bolivarian Republic’s actions are wrong

CONDEMNING the recent actions by Venezuela, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that the 1899 Arbitral Award was the final and binding agreement, and the Bolivarian Republic should adhere to it.

He made these remarks on PBS News, where he also affirmed: “These borders were settled in 1899. I see absolutely no case for unilateral action by Venezuela. It should cease, it is wrong.”

Cameron also said that he will be engaging Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials on the recent actions by Guyana’s western neighbour.

Two Friday’s ago, the ICJ granted Guyana provisional measures to prevent any action by Venezuela that could lead to the annexation of the Essequibo region.

The decision was handed down by the President of the ICJ, Justice Joan E. Donoghue, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, 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 in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo.

As an additional measure, the court also ordered that “both parties refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

The Caribbean Community (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, including the planned December 3 referendum.

“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 also demanded that Venezuela pursue its claims within the law and the legal process.

Moreover, the Commonwealth has offered its “full support” to Guyana in wake of the ICJ ruling.

Commenting on the court ruling, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC., said that the body “offers its full support”.

She said Guyana is a “valued Commonwealth member” and the Commonwealth is encouraged by the support also shown by the 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.”