One week after the Guyana Government announced that it has received bids for eight of the country’s oil blocks which are located offshore Guyana, the Venezuelan Government is objecting to, and rejecting the move.

In a statement released on social media this morning, the Venezuelan Government stated that the Government of Guyana does not have sovereign rights over the maritime areas where the oil blocks are located, adding that any action within their limits is a violation of international law as long as they are not carried out through an agreement with Venezuela.

The statement further indicated that any illegal and arbitrary concession that Guyana grants, has granted or intends to grant, in the areas would be unacceptable and violates the rights of Venezuela.

Venezuela has been laying claim to Guyana’s territory and maritime space for decades. Guyana currently has Venezuela before the International Court of Justice for a final juridical settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Just last week in Washington, President Irfaan Ali raised the issue of the controversy with Venezuela and the country’s continuous claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region.

While addressing a special meeting of the Organization of American States, the President said since independence, Guyana has had to deal with acts of aggression that threaten its territorial integrity and has intimidated and discouraged investments, which has historically stunted the country’s growth and development.

He reminded the international organization that Guyana has sought a peaceful resolution to the claims laid by Venezuela by accepting the decision of the United Nations to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice which is currently hearing the matter.

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