During a recent meeting in St. Kitts/Nevis, CARICOM’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations urged Venezuela to comply with that Order of the International Court which recently reaffirmed its previous order that instructed Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would modify the status quo in the Essequibo, where Guyana currently administers and exercises control.

Earlier this month, in an updated order, the International Court also ordered Venezuela to refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the Essequibo. Venezuela has dismissed the Court’s orders and has accused it of interfering in its internal affairs.

Venezuela has announced plans to host elections for a Governor of Guyana’s Essequibo, which it continues to claim as its own.

The CARICOM Foreign Ministers said they received an update on the most recent developments in the controversy and reiterate their full support for the ongoing judicial process as the proper means of resolving the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela peacefully, finally and in accordance with international law. They also reaffirmed CARICOM’s firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.

Tensions have been building on the western front as Venezuela continues to announce its plans to host the elections. While there are no preparations for any elections taking place in the Essequibo and community leaders have disputed Venezuela’s claims of preparations taking place, the issue is still being closely watched by the Government of Guyana and the international community.

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