Foreign Minister Yván Gil Reaffirms Offer for Direct Dialogue with Guyana to Resolve Esequibo Controversy
In the presence of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Caracas, Yván Gil, Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided a comprehensive overview of the historical context surrounding the Esequibo territorial dispute. He reiterated President Nicolás Maduro’s invitation to Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, for a direct, bilateral, face-to-face dialogue, as mandated by the 1966 Geneva Agreement, aimed at resolving the territorial controversy with Guyana over Esequivo.
Speaking from the Antonio José de Sucre Yellow House, the Minister emphasized that President Maduro has called upon member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to assist in facilitating this direct dialogue. He urged all parties to set aside hostilities, accusations, and threats.
“We have watched with concern as military exercises have taken place in the region without Venezuela’s consent, support has been garnered from a foreign power for an unresolved border situation, and the United States has aligned itself with the deployment of military elements in the area, actions that do not contribute to the solution mandated by the Geneva Agreement,” noted Minister Gil.
#Comunicado Venezuela rechaza que Guyana pretenda tergiversar y manipular ante la Comunidad Internacional, el espíritu de los Comunicados Oficiales emitidos por la República Bolivariana de Venezuela y reitera que el Acuerdo de Ginebra de 1966 traza una hoja de ruta convenida… pic.twitter.com/jgvWwxz7RR
— Yvan Gil (@yvangil) September 27, 2023
Accompanied by the United Nations Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, and the Vice Minister for the Caribbean, Raúl Li Causi, Minister Gil emphasized that Venezuela, as the “sole undisputed historical heir of the territory west of the Esequibo River,” remains committed to pursuing a direct dialogue channel with the Government of Guyana to settle the border dispute.
He underscored that “Venezuela, as President Maduro has affirmed, is defending its historical territorial rights over a region that has been an integral part of its territory since its declaration of independence in 1811.”
In this context, the Minister presented historical maps, including those from the Viceroyalty of Santa Fe and the Captaincy General of Venezuela from 1742, the Captaincy General of Venezuela map from 1777, and the Political Map of 1840, all of which include Guayana Essequiba as part of present-day Venezuela.
Minister Gil also referenced the Paris Arbitration Award of 1899, which he described as the irrational, illegal, and fraudulent event that led to the territory’s dispossession, and he reiterated that the 1966 Geneva Agreement, signed with the United Kingdom of Great Britain, established a friendly solution “acceptable to both parties” and a mixed commission tasked with seeking a practical resolution to the dispute, a position Venezuela continues to uphold.
He further expressed Venezuela’s dissatisfaction with Guyana’s intention to tender in an undelimited maritime territory and grant oil exploitation licenses to the American multinational ExxonMobil. This situation, he noted, poses a serious concern, given the presence of natural resources belonging to the Venezuelan people that could lead to complex future issues.
“We reiterate President Maduro’s call to his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, to meet face-to-face in the Caribbean, with the support of Caricom, to address the entire issue,” emphasized the Bolivarian Foreign Minister.
Guyana- Venezuela Border Controversy, UN Statements
Guyana’s Perspective
At the United Nations’ General Assembly, General Debate, on September 20th, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana delivered a statement addressing the conflict concerning the Guyana-Venezuela border:
“Mr. President, When I addressed the Organization of American States last Friday, I recalled to that hemispheric body how Guyana was excluded from the OAS for 25 years from its birth as a nation, on account of a spurious territorial claim to two-thirds of our homeland, by Venezuela. But justice prevailed, and Guyana was ultimately admitted.
It is sad, however, that fifty-seven years after Guyana’s Independence we remain threatened. Venezuela’s efforts to undermine our freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity are today before the International Court of Justice, as decided by the UN Secretary General under the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
The ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter has been twice affirmed by the Court. We are confident that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will also be affirmed when the Court issues its final judgement. I regret to inform you that Venezuela’s threats continue. Just last night, Guyana received a very threatening message from Venezuela.
It came in the form of a Communique attacking Guyana for putting certain oil blocks in our sovereign waters up for bid. Guyana considers this a threat to regional and international peace and security, as well as to Guyana’s investment partners.
We demand that Venezuela honors its obligation under the Charter to pursue only peaceful means to settle any disputes it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice.
Allowing the Court to decide would ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law. Guyana will spare no effort in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. I express appreciation to every member of the international community that has continued to support Guyana’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Guyana- Venezuela Border Controversy, UN Statements
Venezuela’s Perspective
His Excellency Yvan Gil Pinto Minister for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela issued a statement at the UN’s General Assembly, General Debate, on 23 September 2023. The Minister addressed the Venezuela-Guyana conflict:
“Dear Mr. President,
I write to express our deep concerns regarding recent developments that have unfolded in the past hours. The government of the United States of America, under the pretext of the outdated Monroe Doctrine, is once again inserting itself into a longstanding territorial dispute that spans over two centuries concerning our Guyana Essequiba territory.
The roots of this dispute trace back to the British Empire’s unlawful seizure of our territory during the tumultuous 19th century. The imperialist aggression was enforced through fraudulent means by the dominant powers of that era in 1899. Today, the United States government seeks to assert control over our valuable oil resources by leveraging Exxon Mobil, a company it has effectively incorporated into its operations. This corporation has been collaborating with the government of Guyana to grant oil concessions within an undelimited territorial sea, a clear violation of international law.
It is essential to emphasize that disputed territory cannot be unilaterally disposed of, yet the Cooperative Republic of Guyana persists in its unlawful behavior. We firmly denounce the United States government’s intentions to escalate the situation militarily. The Southern Command is actively working to establish a military base within the contested territory, with the primary objective of positioning itself aggressively against Venezuela and furthering the appropriation of our energy resources.
Just two days ago, the National Assembly of Venezuela took a unanimous decision to call upon our citizens to participate in a Consultative Referendum. This referendum will serve as a means to reaffirm our commitment to defending our sovereign territory against the aggressive actions of the American empire, which appears to be pushing us towards a conflict over natural resources.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela remains steadfast in its dedication to peace, while simultaneously upholding its unwavering resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Statement by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy, September 22, 2023.
On September 22, CARICOM issued a statement on the matter:
“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) notes with grave concern the contents of a Communique emanating from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regarding the announcement made by our sister Member State, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, about its intention to open bids for certain oil blocks in the waters adjacent to Guyana’s coast.
CARICOM views the stated intention of Venezuela to “apply all the necessary measures” to prevent the operations licensed by Guyana in its waters, as a threat of the use of force contrary to international law. It is also not in keeping with the long-standing position of the Latin American and Caribbean countries that our Region must remain a Zone of Peace.
CARICOM has also taken note of the decision of the Venezuelan National Assembly to conduct a popular referendum on defending Venezuela’s claim. CARICOM expresses the hope that Venezuela will engage fully in the process before the International Court of Justice, which has determined that it has the jurisdiction in the case brought before it. The Court’s final decision will ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law.
The Caribbean Community reiterates its full and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, including its right to peacefully develop the resources of its territory.”
Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic
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