–Top US Defence official says; reaffirms importance of respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

DIPLOMATIC and legal channels, not military means, must be the sole approach to addressing the ongoing controversy between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere at the United States Department of Defense, Daniel Erikson said during an interview with local journalists at the US Embassy in Georgetown, on Tuesday.

Guyana’s western neighbour had increased its aggressive claims to two-thirds of the country’s Essequibo region, a region rich in oil, timber, and other natural resources.

Owing to the growing tensions, CARICOM and CELAC had undertaken to broker a meeting between Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro to address matters consequential to the border controversy.

The meeting was held last December at the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where there was a mutual commitment to peace.

The meeting was facilitated by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and was observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

This historic meeting culminated in what is now known as the “Argyle Declaration,” an 11-point agreement which addresses matters consequential to the border controversy, including the fact that Guyana holds firmly to its position that the substantive case is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Erikson shared insights into the current state of affairs and the United States’ stance on the matter, highlighting the need for peaceful resolutions and international legal mechanisms.

He acknowledged the relative de-escalation in the border controversy, expressing optimism about the diplomatic approach currently being pursued by the involved parties.

“At this point, we see that the border controversy has reached a period, thankfully, of relative de-escalation, as the parties are seeking diplomatic outcomes rather than military outcomes,” Erikson said.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary reinforced the United States’ commitment to maintain peace and stability throughout the Western Hemisphere, asserting that diplomatic and international legal channels are the most appropriate means of resolving such controversies.

“We think it’s extremely important to maintain peace and stability throughout the Western Hemisphere and, of course, that includes Guyana as well,” he said.

Erikson underscored the US’ perspective on the ongoing border controversy, asserting that the resolution must come through diplomatic dialogue and adherence to international legal frameworks.

“Looking forward, we really think that this [border controversy] is most appropriately dealt with through diplomatic and international legal channels, rather than through military means,” he added.

Erikson also expressed the US’ keen interest in observing the outcome of the ongoing case before the ICJ related to the border controversy.

RESPECT FOR GUYANA’S SOVEREIGNTY

While recognising the complexities of such matters, Erikson reiterated the US’ stance in supporting respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary’s comments come at a crucial juncture when tensions related to the border controversy have seen a period of relative calm.

Erikson reaffirmed the US’ commitment to maintaining a robust defence relationship with Guyana and underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges.

“We follow very closely the results of the meeting that took place in December in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The United States supports the continuation of respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he remarked.

President Ali has always maintained that Guyana will not retreat from its position that the border controversy with Venezuela is properly before the 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 December 14, Guyana and Venezuela declared they would 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 nations would be resolved in accordance with international law.

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 nations will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them.

The two nations 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.

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 recent 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 enjoys the full, principled and unequivocal support of CARICOM, the Commonwealth and other partners from around the world.