Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues has responded to the “falsehoods” made by Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, when he addressed the UN General Assembly debate last week.

The Venezuelan Foreign Minister told the UN General Assembly indirectly that Guyana is using the Essequibo region for military exercises which poses a threat to his country.

Ambassador Rodrigues rejected the Foreign Minister’s comments during a reply of the UN General Assembly debate.

“The intelligence of the international community should not be insulted by Venezeula’s allegations that Guyana is allowing its territory to be used as a platform for military aggression against any state, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” Ambassador Rodrigues told the United Nations.

She said Venezuela’s continued wild accusations against Guyana is to drum up support for its claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

The Venezuelan National Assembly has already passed a resolution mandating that there be a referendum so that the people of Venezuela can have a say.

Guyana has already seen that move as a threat and rejected it, as the case for a final judicial settlement of the controversy remains before the International Court.

“Throughout, the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana has acted and continue to act in relation to neighboring Venezuela in full accordance with international law and has consistently invited the Government of Venezuela to do the same. In particular, Guyana urges Venezuela to confirm its adherence to the Judicial processes of the International Court of Justice,” Ms. Rodriquez told the Assembly.

Ms. Rodrigues said not only had Venezuela previously accepted the land boundary and respected the Geneva agreement, but it had taken part in a UN good-Offices process, which lasted for decades without a resolution to the claim but even with its participation, it had maintained its threats against Guyana.

She said it was not until the UN Secretary General referred the matter to the International Court of Justice that Venezuela completely rejected the move and heightened its threats against Guyana.

The Ambassador said if Venezuela believes that the way to settle the matter is through the adherence of the 1966 Geneva agreement, then it should adhere to that agreement and plead its case before the ICJ, and accept the decision of the Court when it is issued as a final and binding settlement of the controversy.

The Guyana Government and Opposition have condemned the latest threats from Venezuela, and the international community has also added its voice in support of Guyana.

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