–reaffirm support for country’s territorial sovereignty
–UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas, Caribbean to visit nation soon

WHILE re-affirming its support for Guyana’s sovereignty, Global Affairs Canada, on Friday, recognised the dialogue between Presidents, Dr Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro, as a “productive” step towards maintaining peace and security in the region.
The department of the Government of Canada further commended the diplomatic efforts by CARICOM and CELAC for hosting a dialogue between the two Presidents.

Global Affairs Canada issued the following statement:
“Canada has been closely monitoring recent developments following the consultative referendum on the Essequibo region that took place in Venezuela on December 3, 2023, and has been deeply concerned by growing tensions in the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. Canada stands with the Guyanese people and government in calling for the application of and respect for international law and strongly supports Guyana’s territorial integrity.

“Canada salutes the diplomatic efforts of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) members in hosting a dialogue between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on Thursday, December 14, as well as the mediation role played by Brazil and the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

“Canada reaffirms its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and seeks a peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the dispute at the International Court of Justice. Canada recognises Thursday’s dialogue as a productive step toward maintaining peace and security in the region and commends all efforts to keep channels of dialogue open in this regard.”

UK reaffirms support for Guyana
Additionally, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who has not been shy in condemning the actions by Venezuela towards Guyana’s territorial sovereignty, wrote in a post on the social media platform, ‘X’: “The statement by Venezuela in St Vincent that it will refrain from the use of force and any further escalation is welcome. And it must be followed by concrete actions.”

He also revealed that their Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley, will be visiting Guyana in the coming days to further show their support to the Guyanese people on this pivotal issue.

Cameron further commended the efforts of the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in fostering peace in Latin America and the Caribbean and stressed that sovereign borders must be respected.

He also said that the UK will continue to work with their partners in the region and internationally to ensure respect for Guyana’s sovereignty.

ZONE OF PEACE
President Ali has maintained that Guyana will not retreat from its position that the border controversy with Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

President Ali and President Maduro of Venezuela, have also committed to maintaining a “zone of peace.”
Following the historic meeting between the two leaders on Thursday last, Guyana and Venezuela declared they will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

They also agreed that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

Among other things, Guyana and Venezuela also agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries and a commitment was given that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them.

The two States will also cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to establish immediately a joint commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons to address matters as mutually agreed. An update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

Both countries agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission.

ARBITRAL AWARD
The genesis of the controversy dates back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that delineated the land boundary between then British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela.

Despite historical arbitration, tensions persisted, leading Guyana to approach the ICJ in 2018, seeking affirmation of the award’s legitimacy.

The ICJ’s provisional measures are binding on the parties involved. Under the UN Charter, all states are solemnly bound to comply with the court’s orders, which can be enforced by the UN Security Council.

The substantive case, which highlights the historical context and the 1899 Arbitral Award, remains before the World Court.
Guyana has reached out to the international community to call attention to Venezuela’s actions that are completely outside the norm of the rule of law, and which present a real threat to the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean Region.
Guyana enjoys the full, principled and unequivocal support of CARICOM, the Commonwealth and other partners from around the world.