President Ali writes CARICOM Chairman about Rodríguez’s false Essequibo brooch

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has written to the incumbent Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), objecting to acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez’s use of a brooch of her country’s map that includes Guyana’s Essequibo Region during official talks with regional leaders.

In a letter to St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrence Drew, President Ali said it is “deeply regrettable” that bilateral engagements between Venezuela and sister CARICOM states have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory. The Guyanese leader reminded Prime Minister Drew that all CARICOM Heads have repeatedly and unequivocally supported Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the International Court of Justice.

Rodriguez was last seen wearing the brooch during an engagement with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley. The move has drawn widespread criticism from Guyanese.

See below the full text of the letter from President Ali to Prime Minister Drew: 

I note with grave concern the public display by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, during official engagements in Member States of the Caribbean Community, of a map purporting to incorporate Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.

Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. However, it is deeply regrettable that such engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.

The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risks being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance. No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, should create the impression that the Community’s platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of Justice. CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements.

This is not a matter of symbolism alone. It is a calculated and provocative assertion of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected, and which is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.

Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the Court, seek to normalise by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law. Such conduct does not strengthen Venezuela’s case; it undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement, international law, and good neighbourly relations.

Guyana recalls its consistent position that the boundary was settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the boundary as a full, perfect and final settlement. Venezuela’s revival of the claim decades later, and its more recent measures purporting to annex the Essequibo and appoint officials for that territory, form part of a pattern of conduct inconsistent with international law and the process to which the matter has been submitted.
These actions persist notwithstanding the Order of the Court of 1 December 2023, which required Venezuela not to take any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over that area, and required both Parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve.

I am writing to you, the current Chairman of CARICOM, conveying Guyana’s concern and urging continued vigilance in safeguarding the Community’s principled position.

Guyana reminds all CARICOM Heads of Government of their repeated and unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the Court. That position was reaffirmed most recently at the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

Guyana remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of this matter in accordance with international law. We continue to repose our confidence in the Court and to respect its processes and eventual judgment. At the same time, Guyana expects all States, including Venezuela, to act consistently with the principles of the United Nations Charter, refrain from provocation, and respect the ongoing judicial process.

 

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