Guyana’s position on border controversy ‘non-negotiable’ – Pres. Ali says ahead of meeting with Maduro

border controversy with Venezuela remains “non-negotiable”, highlighting that the merit of the case will be determined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Head of State made the disclosure in a live broadcast on his Facebook page in which he noted that Thursday’s meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, President Nicolas Maduro is just a “conversation,” in the interest of keeping the region a zone of peace.

“In that meeting, we will have a conversation with President Maduro. I have made it very clear that on the issue of the border controversy Guyana’s position is non-negotiable,” the Head of State said.

According to President Ali, his decision to participate in the meeting was made following a series of consultations with stakeholders, Guyana’s technical team, agents, lawyers and the Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton.

“From the inception, we made it very clear that on the issue of our border controversy, there is absolutely no compromise. This matter is before the ICJ and that is where it shall be settled. There are no negotiations on this. There is no compromise on this,” President Ali noted.

President Ali was on Friday urged to explore the possibility of a meeting with President Maduro during an emergency meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM.

And on Saturday, President Ali was approached by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves on meeting with President Maduro.

The meeting will be held at 10:00 hrs in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It will be hosted by Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Heads of State of CARICOM, a United Nations Under-Secretary General and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

“We expect that good sense will prevail and the commitment peace, stability, the threat of destruction will cease.

“In the interest of regionalism, in the interest of peace and stability, good neighbourly relations, the co-existence of two countries sharing a border, Guyana is always up for any action that will enhance relationship,” President Ali said on Sunday.

As he acknowledged the continuous support from regional and international partners during the process, the Head of State assured Guyanese that development in the country will continue “unimpeded.”

Collaboration and cooperation, as well as joint operations will “continue as planned”, President Ali said.

“We do so with every hope of maintaining peaceful environment in which every country in this region can co-exist in accordance with international laws and principles, in respect of each other without the threat of force or use of force,” he noted.

There have been numerous calls for the region to remain a zone of peace, and for Venezuela to meaningfully participate in the case before the ICJ.

The border controversy is squarely before the World Court and Guyana hopes for a final, binding settlement that reaffirms the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the existing boundary between itself and Venezuela.

Many countries view Venezuela’s recent actions, including a sham referendum and redrawing its map to include Guyana’s Essequibo region, as a threat to the peace and stability of the region.