The Government of Guyana today observed the 124th anniversary of the 1899 Arbitral Award which settled the border dispute between Venezuela and the then British Guiana.

The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said while Guyana still accepts and celebrates the Arbitral Award as stipulated by the Treaty, Venezuela, just after Guyana’s independence, began casting doubt on the award and has now laid claim to more than two-thirds of the country’s Essequibo region.

The Guyana Government said while it notes Venezuela’s continued threats and violation of international law, it will hold fast for the matter to be resolved peacefully.

According to the anniversary statement, the Government of Guyana remains firmly of the view that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is valid, adding that Guyana is committed to a path of final and peaceful settlement and will continue to adhere to the rule of International Law and the procedures of the International Court of Justice.

The Government said Venezuela has abandoned the rule of law and good faith, and continues to lay claims to the Essequibo territory.

The statement added that Guyana Government will continue to adhere to, and embrace the rules of international law and respect the agreement.

Guyana has instituted proceedings against Venezuela at the International Court of Justice for a final juridical settlement of the border controversy.

Venezuela recently reignited its claims to Guyana’s territory while protesting a move by Guyana to auction off oil blocks, off the coast of Guyana in Guyana’s maritime space that Venezuela also claims.

The Guyana Government and a number of international organisations have rejected the latest claims from Venezuela.

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