Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, has taken a firm stand, declaring Esequibo, a region claimed by Venezuela, as non-negotiable.
He will meet Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on December 14, 2023, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to discuss the ongoing territorial dispute.
In a recent interview, President Ali announced his intention to escalate the Esequibo matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
This court, affiliated with the United Nations, specializes in resolving disputes between countries. His comments were part of a discussion with Jornal Nacional of TV Globo.
Ali’s statement was made during the opening of a roundabout on December 11. This event showcased the economic benefits of ExxonMobil’s oil exploration in Esequibo.
Here, Ali rebutted Maduro’s accusations of colonialism by ExxonMobil, labeling them as simple rhetoric.
On December 11, Maduro confirmed his upcoming meeting with President Ali.
In a letter to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, Maduro restated Venezuela’s claim to Esequibo and planned to discuss U.S. involvement in the dispute.
CELAC and CARICOM to Facilitate Dialogue
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, though invited, will not attend this meeting. Instead, Celso Amorim, the Presidential Advisor for International Affairs, will represent Brazil.
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will facilitate the leaders’ dialogue.
Gonsalves has described the upcoming meeting as a historic and potentially successful event.
The dispute over Esequibo, an area abundant in oil and minerals with access to the Atlantic Ocean, has been ongoing for more than a century.
Venezuelans voted in a referendum on December 3 regarding the annexation of Esequibo, a measure announced by Maduro on November 10.
On November 11, Guyana labeled Venezuela’s move as provocative and illegal, stating it lacked international legal standing.
Guyana accused Maduro of attempting to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.