–President Ali affirms nation’s position amidst Venezuela’s aggression
–says ‘not a square inch’ of Guyana’s territory will be ceded

IN the wake of Venezuela’s planned elections over Guyana’s Essequibo region and a recent border attack involving Guyanese troops, President Dr. Irfaan Ali issued a firm and passionate declaration, underscoring Guyana’s unyielding stance on its territorial sovereignty.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, the Head of State made it clear that Guyana remains united and resolute in the face of its western neighbour’s blatant disregard for international norms.

“We are 83,000 square miles proud and strong — unshakeable, unbreakable — and that is how it’s going to be,” the President stated emphatically.
Venezuela is set to hold elections for the so-called Guayana ‘Esequiba’ state during its upcoming regional polls on May 25, 2025—just one day before Guyana marks its 59th independence anniversary.

This has been widely condemned as an aggressive and illegitimate move.
The development has heightened regional tensions, further exacerbated by a reported border attack involving Guyanese troops.
These incidents, which occurred between May 13 and 15, 2025, involved armed men in civilian clothing firing at GDF ranks from the Venezuelan side of the river between Eteringbang and Makapa.

No soldiers were injured, and the GDF confirmed that its personnel responded with “appropriate action” in all instances.
President Ali called on citizens to hold firm in their national identity and pride: “We continue to ask all residents to be proud of your heritage, fly your Golden Arrowhead very high, knowing that not a square inch will be ceded.”

In outlining Guyana’s strategy for defending its territorial integrity, the President identified three central pillars: diplomacy, defence, and international collaboration.
“There are three branches on which we have always defended our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “First and foremost is diplomacy. We have always pursued diplomatic efforts with our neighbours, regional leaders, and the entire CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States].

President Ali emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening the country’s defence capabilities as a second line of assurance: “Diplomacy is an important plank on which we work.” The second issue of course is ensuring that we have the best capability in protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The third element, he noted, is sustained engagement with the international community and the relevant stakeholders.  “We continue to work with the international community…We have been discussing of course, getting feedback from our embassy there [Venezuela], and our instructions to the ambassador and the embassy are clear —is to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our position are well known to all stakeholders.”

On May 1, 2025, the ICJ ordered the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to refrain from holding or preparing for any elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region, pending a final ruling on the ongoing border controversy.
The decision comes in response to a request by Guyana following Venezuela’s January 2025 announcement of plans to elect a governor and legislative council for what it claims to be the “Guayana Esequiba State.”

In its ruling, the World Court reaffirmed the provisional measures granted on December 1, 2023, and introduced a new, binding directive.
The court in its December 1, 2023 order, stated: “Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute for which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and both parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

The new measure explicitly states that, pending a final decision, Venezuela “shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”

This latest directive was adopted by 12 votes to three by the judges of the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands.
The December 2023 order had already instructed Venezuela to avoid taking any actions that would alter the status quo of the territory under Guyana’s control and called on both nations to refrain from aggravating the situation.