–VP says

REJECTING Nicolas Maduro’s distorted rhetoric, Guyana’s Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday stated that Guyana does not recognise any new map which alters the current border with its Spanish-speaking neighbour, as it would stand in contradiction with the 1899 arbitral award.

During a press conference at the Office of the President, Jagdeo stated, “We don’t recognise any extension of their map; to do so would be to admit that the 1899 Award was flawed, and so our position is that it’s illegal.”

Amidst Venezuela’s recent actions, the Vice- President stood firm on the position that Guyana will not allow belligerent powers to threaten its territorial integrity.
The Vice-President said that every movement that the western neighbour makes is tracked.

On December 5, Maduro announced a slew of actions to be taken by his government to implement the result of the sham December 3 referendum, despite the judgement handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

As he openly defied the ICJ’s ruling, he announced seven actions that they plan to take on the Essequibo region, including a new map of Venezuela that includes Guyana’s Essequibo region for distribution in schools, high schools and universities of the country.

In response, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Irfaan Ali reported Maduro’s latest actions to the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the ICJ.

“We will not allow our territory to be violated nor the development of our country to be stymied by this desperate threat,” the Head-of-State affirmed.

He further said: “We urge President Maduro to rethink these missteps, and to act and behave in accordance with the international law. All our actions and anything we do in Guyana are aimed at ensuring this region remains a region of peace. Our only ambition is for this region to remain a zone of peace; we ask for nothing more or nothing less.”