See full statement from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG):
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is deeply concerned by developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as it takes steps to obtain a popular mandate in regard of its spurious claim to a significant proportion of Guyana’s territory. The Federation is very much anxious by specific questions to permit the Venezuelan authorities to annex Guyana’s territory. Given recent developments in other parts of the globe, such motivations cannot be easily ignored.
The FITUG shares that Venezuela’s actions are in clear violation of several international treaties subscribed to by both Guyana and Venezuela. It is equally important to emphasise that we do not support any attempts which seek to claim Guyana’s Essequibo region as Venezuelan territory.
We are aware that international law prohibits such actions, and we kindly urge the Venezuelan Government to respect such prohibitions and Guyana’s sovereignty. The Federation is of the unflinching view that the referendum process underway in Venezuela has no basis nor can withstand any scrutiny. We believe it wise that this course of action no longer be pursued and that both parties confine their representations to the process triggered by and consistent with the Geneva Agreement.
The FITUG fully supports the Government in safeguarding our territorial integrity and protecting our borders. We firmly oppose any attempts to impose Venezuelan authority over our land and seas. We urge Venezuela to participate actively and fully in the ongoing deliberations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and work towards a peaceful and final resolution. We also remind of the commitment of maintaining the Caribbean and Latin America as a ‘Zone of Peace’. We trust that Venezuela will honour its commitment to this cause, and there is no resort to military or other forms of force that will shatter the peace and tranquility which characterises the region.
