–confident in the government’s leadership on this matter; extends gratitude to the international community for its support

The following is the full text of a statement from the People’s Progressive Party:
“THE boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela were fully and finally settled by the Arbitral Award of 1899 and conclusively demarcated under that Award in 1905. The Arbitral Award was recognised by all parties as a “full, perfect and final” settlement of the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela.

Article IV (2) of the Geneva Agreement of 1966 empowered the United Nation’s Secretary General to select the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a lawful means for the settlement of the controversy.

Guyana remains faithful to the 1899 Arbitral Award and the Geneva Agreement and opted to utilise the mechanism provided for in the Geneva Agreement to have the matter referred to the ICJ for peaceful resolution, in accordance with International Law.

Venezuela, in clear violation of the letter and spirit of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the Geneva Agreement, has taken steps to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana comprising two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory, despite the fact that the matter is currently before the ICJ.

The ICJ has granted certain provisional measures restraining both Venezuela and Guyana from taking any steps to escalate tensions until the matter is heard and determined by the ICJ.
Further, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his counterpart President Nicholas Maduro have entered in good faith, an accord in Argyle, St. Vincent, not to take any further steps to escalate the controversy. Guyana has scrupulously obeyed the ICJ’s Provisional Measures and has done nothing which would conflict with the Argyle Declaration.

Venezuela, on the other hand, in breach of the letter and spirit of the Provisional Measures of the ICJ and the Argyle Accord, recently enacted laws in its Parliament purporting to incorporate Essequibo as a state of Venezuela. These, and other actions of Venezuela, along with its bellicose threats of invasion, are in violation of international law, norms and practices.
This 32nd Congress of the People’s Progressive Party strongly condemns the actions of the Maduro regime in attempting to violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports the Government of Guyana in defending our national territory by all and any means necessary.

Additionally, this Congress expresses its total and unqualified support for the wise, calm and mature leadership of the Government of Guyana in maintaining a climate of peace in our country and the region as a whole.

Further, this Congress extends its deep gratitude to the international community and friendly countries, including, the United States, Britain, Canada, France, European Union, CARICOM and OAS Member States in lending support and solidarity to Guyana on this matter of existential importance.”