GEORGE TOWN, Guyana (AP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s move to sign into law the results of a recent referendum claiming two-thirds of Guyana was announced Thursday as This prompted fierce criticism from the national government.
The text of the law was not immediately made public. Still, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vowed not to cede any land to Venezuela, calling the move targeting Guyana’s western Essequibo region “an egregious violation of the most fundamental principles of international law.”
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In early December, President Maduro held a referendum asserting sovereignty over the oil- and mineral-rich region that makes up two-thirds of Guyana and that was stolen when the border was drawn more than 100 years ago. He claimed that it was. On Wednesday, President Maduro held a signing ceremony and recalled the referendum as a “great historical moment.”
A boy drives a motorcycle in front of a mural of a map of Venezuela that includes the Essequibo neighborhood on Monday, December 11, 2023 in Caracas, Venezuela. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Following a referendum held last December to annex the mineral- and oil-rich territory disputed with Guyana to Venezuela, it promulgated a law creating the state of Essequibo as part of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
“The decisions of December 3 now become law of the Republic and form part of the legal structure of our national political and institutional movement,” President Maduro tweeted on Wednesday. “The decisions taken by Venezuelans in the consultative referendum will be implemented in every part, and with this law we will continue to defend Venezuela in the international arena.”
Hours later, Guyana’s government responded sharply: “If Venezuela wishes to contest ownership of the territory in question, the appropriate forum is the International Court of Justice.”
It is not clear how Venezuelan authorities intend to implement the idea of exercising jurisdiction over Essequibo. President Maduro said that until the conflict is resolved, the appointment of Essequibo governor will remain in his hands and that Congress will exercise legislative authority in the region. Details were not disclosed.
Guyana and Venezuela have been at odds over the region for decades, and tensions have escalated since 2015 when vast oil reserves were discovered near Guyana’s coast in an offshore area that intersects with the disputed territory.
In 2018, Guyana took the case to the United Nations Supreme Court, asking the judges to rule that the 1899 border decision was valid and binding. Venezuela, on the other hand, claims that the 1966 agreement invalidated the original arbitration.
A court ruling is not expected until next year.
Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali recently said Guyana is working with the United States, France and India to strengthen its military in case of an annexation attempt. The Guyanese Armed Forces has also stepped up its training of conscripts through advertising on social media sites and visits to various parts of the country.
Satellite images show that the Venezuelan military is building up troops and expanding bases near the country’s border with Guyana.
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The presidents of Guyana and Venezuela met on St. Vincent Island in the eastern Caribbean in mid-December at the request of regional leaders to calm the situation, but the territorial dispute was not resolved and the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela agreed not to make any threats or intimidation. Just agreed. Let’s join forces with each other.
A second meeting between Mr. Ali and Mr. Maduro was scheduled to take place last month, but no date has been set.
