Support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations – Pres. Ali writes CARICOM on Venezuelan President’s aggression

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has written to CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrence Drew, formally objecting to Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodríguez’s public display of a map during official engagements within CARICOM member states which falsely portrays Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.

Rodriquez, during an official visit to Barbados, wore a brooch with a map of Venezuela which includes Guyana’s Essequibo region. Rodriquez wore a similar brooch during her earlier state visit to Grenada.

In his letter, the Guyanese leader noted that “CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements.”

See full letter dispatched by President Ali:

Dear Brother Terrance,

I note with grave concern the public display by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez during official engagements in Member States of the Caribbean Community, of a map purporting to incorporate Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.

Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. However, it is deeply regrettable that such engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.

The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risks being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance. No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, should create the impression that the Community’s platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of Justice.

CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements.

This is not a matter of symbolism alone. It is a calculated and provocative assertion of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected, and which is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.

Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the Court, seek to normalise by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law. Such conduct does not strengthen Venezuela’s case; it undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement, international law, and good neighbourly relations.

Guyana recalls its consistent position that the boundary was settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the boundary as a full, perfect and final settlement. Venezuela’s revival of the claim decades later, and its more recent measures purporting to annex the Essequibo and appoint officials for that territory, form part of a pattern of conduct inconsistent with international law and the process to which the matter has been submitted.

These actions persist notwithstanding the Order of the Court of 1 December 2023, which required Venezuela not to take any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over that area, and required both Parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve.

I am writing to you, the current Chairman of CARICOM, conveying Guyana’s concern and urging continued vigilance in safeguarding the Community’s principled position.

Guyana reminds all CARICOM Heads of Government of their repeated and unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the Court. That position was reaffirmed most recently at the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

Guyana remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of this matter in accordance with international law. We continue to repose our confidence in the Court and to respect its processes and eventual judgment.

At the same time, Guyana expects all States, including Venezuela, to act consistently with the principles of the United Nations Charter, refrain from provocation, and respect the ongoing judicial process.