Guyana accuses Venezuela of breaching the Argyle Agreement and ICJ rulings by announcing elections in the disputed Essequibo region. The Guyanese government condemned these actions as violations of international law and asserted its commitment to the ongoing legal proceedings before the ICJ regarding territorial claims. This dispute has heightened tensions and challenges the authority of the ICJ.
The Government of Guyana has raised serious concerns regarding actions and statements made by the Venezuelan administration, asserting that these constitute violations of the Argyle Agreement and the direction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that such actions, notably President Nicolás Maduro’s announcement regarding elections in the disputed Guayana Esequiba region, breach commitments established in the December 2023 Argyle Agreement, which mandates non-escalation of territorial disputes between the two nations.
The territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela has its origins in colonial era agreements, particularly the Arbitral Award of 1899, which delineated the boundary between the two countries. However, Venezuela has recently intensified claims over the Essequibo region—an area rich in natural resources—causing ongoing tensions. The Argyle Agreement, which came into effect in December 2023, was brokered to promote peaceful resolution and dialogue between the two parties, amid ongoing legal proceedings before the ICJ over the validity of historical territorial claims.
Guyana firmly rejects any Venezuelan claims to the Essequibo region and asserts its commitment to the ICJ’s judicial process, while calling for an immediate cessation of actions that contradict the Argyle Agreement. As tensions escalate, Guyana seeks reinstatement of dialogue to ensure peaceful resolution of this protracted legal and territorial dispute, maintaining its stance on national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Original Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
