Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd, told the National Assembly today that Guyana continues to give significant attention to the two border issues it has with neighbouring Venezuela and Suriname.

Contributing to the 2025 budget debate this afternoon, the Foreign Minister said at the heart of Guyana’s efforts, is to ensure a peaceful resolution of all matters and good relations with Suriname and Venezuela.

On the Venezuela controversy, Mr. Todd told the National Assembly, that Guyana’s focus has been on lobbying for international support against the claim made by Venezuela, the advancement of the case before the International Court of Justice, and the sensitization of the local and international communities on Guyana’s border issues.

He said these approaches have been seeing results.

“Mr. Speaker, in relation to the claims made by Venezuela, there are systematic approach to individual states as well as critical international organizations and bodies including CARICOM, Commonwealth, United Nations Security Council and the OAS to name a few and this is to support Guyana’s bid to support its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Foreign Minister said.

Mr. Todd recalled that because of the efforts being made, several international organizations have been publicly condemning the actions of Venezuela.

But Venezuela has been moving ahead with its claim and even the planning of an election for a Governor of Guyana’s Essequibo region.

As it relates to the border controversy with Suriname, the Foreign Minister said the Border Commission which was set up between the two countries will be meeting soon, to further iron out issues and concerns raised.

“The accumulation and analysis of historical documents relating to the unresolved issues the two countries have been and will be given significant attention. Preparations are on the way for a meeting of the border Commission between Guyana and Suriname this year. We reaffirm the commitments of our two countries to pursued the agreed initiatives within the strategic dialogue cooperative platform,” the Foreign Minister said.

In rebutting the Foreign Minister, Opposition Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan, said that the Government has not been doing enough on the Venezuela issue. He said it is the laid-back approach taken by the government that has emboldened Venezuelan officials.

“All right-thinking Guyanese, advised against the meeting in Argyle, in St. Vincent, with all we have expended on that meeting, what do we have to show for it?,”. Duncan questioned.

MP Duncan said there must be no letting up in Guyana’s defence of its territorial integrity.

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