U.S. says Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy cannot be settled by a referendum

ruled last Friday that Venezuela shall refrain from seeking to seize control of the Essequibo- a move many believed the Spanish-speaking nation would pursue following its referendum.

The boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was determined by an arbitration tribunal 124 years ago, but Venezuela rejected the award in 1962, saying it was flawed. A mechanism was set up to solve the controversy and after decades of talks failed, the United Nations Secretary General referred the matter to the ICJ, which is the UN’s principal judicial organ.

The court has determined it can hear and decide on the case, but Venezuela put forward the symbolic referendum before the Court can rule.

Guyana sought protection and that’s where the Court ruled Friday that the Essequibo has been recognised as Guyanese territory and has been governed by Guyana since the 1899 award and Venezuela should refrain from interrupting Guyanese sovereignty of the territory.

Venezuela still went ahead with its referendum although there are regional and international reports that there was low voter turnout.

Nevertheless, Mr. Miller said: “…We would urge Venezuela and Guyana to continue to seek a peaceful resolution of their dispute.

“This is not something that will be settled by a referendum.”

Guyana insists, as does the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and Organization of American States, and the entire international community, that the controversy over the validity of the Arbitral Award and the land boundary must be resolved by the International Court of Justice, which will assure a just, peaceful, binding and permanent solution to this matter, in accordance with international law.

Guyana’s Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Monday, told the News Room that Guyana is prepared for the worst, building defence cooperation with its allies, even though it does not believe that Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro will order an invasion of Guyana.

In a separate comment, Mr. Miller spoke about the U.S. intentions for sanctions relief in Venezuela. He, however, noted those haven’t gone forward since Venezuela hasn’t “gone through with their end of the bargain”.