Guyana and Venezuela have declared that they will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those that are consequential to any existing controversy between the two.

The meeting between President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro ended last evening in St. Vincent, with the two sides agreeing that the border controversy will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

The two sides have also agreed to establish a Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two countries to address matters as mutually agreed.

In their Joint Declaration, Guyana and Venezuela also agreed to continue dialogue on other pending matters. They have also agreed to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement. Guyana and Venezuela have also declared that they will meet again in Brazil within the next three months or at a time agreed to by them.

The Declaration also noted Guyana’s position that the border case is properly before the International Court of Justice and that is where it will remain for a final settlement, while the Declaration also noted Venezuela’s rejection of the Court to adjudicate the matter.

“Noted Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy. Noted Venezuela’s assertion of its lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy”, the Declaration states.  

President Ali told reporters yesterday in St. Vincent that there would be no retreating from Guyana’s position that the border case remains before the International Court of Justice and that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

“I made it clear that the controversy must be resolved at the ICJ and we are unwavering and resolute in ensuring that Guyana’s case is presented, defended and the ICJ will issue its position on the merits of the case. I made it clear that the process leading to the ICJ is part of the Geneva agreement and that the Geneva agreement provides for the UN Secretary General to determine where the controversy must be finally determined and it is the UN SG acting within the confines of the Geneva Agreement, that that place is the ICJ”, the President told reporters before the end of the meeting.

The meeting between the two Presidents was facilitated by CARICOM and the Community for Latin American and Caribbean States. A number of CARICOM leaders attended yesterday’s meeting in St. Vincent. Before the start of the meeting, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley said just getting the Presidents together at the table was a success.

The outcome of the meeting is being seen as the road to an easing of tension between Guyana and Venezuela in wake of Venezuela’s acts of aggression against Guyana in recent weeks, with a build up of troops at the border and referendum to reinforce the country’s claims of Guyana’s territory.

Guyana has repeatedly rejected Venezuela’s aggression and claims of the Essequibo.

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