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extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly.

Norton called the Venezuelan government, and at times, the state itself, many things: a bully, an aggressor, and a dangerous and sinister enemy.

He believes Guyana is rightfully defending its territory in accordance with international law but said many times throughout his lengthy address that other measures must be taken to bolster Guyana’s defences.

“… we will have to take measures not only to defend our territorial integrity and sovereignty but also our place in the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

“Clearly, there is a need for a more robust and aggressive foreign policy, vis a vis Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said too.

Norton also pointed out that there have been instances where Venezuelan military personnel violated Guyana’s borders and entered upon Guyanese soil. Should the country’s planned December 3 referendum go ahead, he believes that Venezuela may become even more aggressive.

So Norton joined fellow lawmakers in denouncing that referendum and supporting Guyana’s move to resolve the controversy at the ICJ.

Extraordinary sitting of the House.

Prime Minister Phillips recounted the many instances where Venezuela acted aggressively towards Guyana, failing to accept the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the boundaries between the two countries.

For him, Venezuela did much to sour relations with Guyana even though Guyana held steadfast to international law and good neighbourly relations.

Beyond souring relations, the Prime Minister lamented that there have been tangible, adverse effects of that country’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and exclusive economic zone offshore.

“… we are witnessing decades of division among our people, resulting in social fragmentation stemming from contradictory narratives.

“This, in turn, has adverse effects on economic development and investments between our neighbouring nations. It is a conflict that incites geopolitical tension that can affect regional stability and international relations,” the Prime Minister said.

He also said, “…the endurance of this controversy has been excessive, and Venezuela’s unrelenting pursuit of unfounded territorial claims, not only affects our nation, but also undermines the cherished principles of justice and sovereignty, sovereignty held by the international community.”

Further, he noted that Venezuela’s claim led to conflicting ideologies in both countries. In Guyana, it is known that the Essequibo region fully belongs to Guyana but in Venezuelans, many believe this area belongs to the Spanish-speaking nation.

It is that ideology that could be leveraged in a planned Venezuelan referendum that was denounced by all Guyanese lawmakers on Monday.

Through the referendum, the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela will seek the support of citizens in continuation of its claim of Guyana’s Essequibo region. The questions for that referendum include one that alludes to the annexation of the Essequibo region.

Guyana views the move as an affront to the ongoing juridical process currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The lawmakers gathered for the extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly to denounce Venezuela actions and clearly demonstrate the political unity on the border controversy.

Next week, the ICJ will hear arguments from Guyana through an injunction filed to prevent Venezuela from taking action through its provocative referendum over Guyana’s territory – Essequibo.

The borders of Guyana and Venezuela were determined by an arbitral tribunal on October 3, 1899, and Venezuela inherited 13,000 square kilometres of Guyana’s territory (then under British rule).

The ICJ has already determined that it has the jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case and Guyana believes it will get a favourable ruling.

International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Consequently, he called on fellow lawmakers, Guyanese and the international community to denounce this referendum.

“Anyone familiar with the curial process would know that a party in a litigation has a right to seek appropriate legal remedies, interlocutorily, if the other party in the litigation is taking steps that can defeat, compromise or render negatory, the legal proceedings itself and/or its final outcome.

“Guyana is of the considered view, that the impending referendum slated for the 3rd of December, 2023 is intended to and will compromise the legal proceedings pending at the International Court of Justice, if not subvert the legal process altogether and prejudice its outcome,” Nandlall, who is also the Minister of Legal Affairs, said.

What Guyana is ultimately seeking from the ICJ is affirmation that the 1899 Arbitral Award which established the boundary between itself and Venezuela is valid. Guyana believes that an ICJ ruling will be final and binding, settling the decades-long controversy once and for all.

It is for this reason Guyana rejects the referendum and is asking the ICJ to block it.

Through this referendum, Venezuela’s government will seek the support of citizens in continuation of its claim of Guyana’s Essequibo region. There are fears that at least one question in that referendum seeks the support of Venezuelans for the annexation of two-thirds of Guyana’s territory; and some believe the Spanish-speaking country may use force to do so.

So Guyana has approached the ICJ, seeking an injunction to prevent Venezuela from taking action through its provocative referendum over Guyana’s territory – Essequibo. There will be a hearing on November 14.

The Extraordinary Parliamentary sitting was convened as a means of also denouncing that referendum and reaffirming that the ICJ is the only avenue for a final settlement of the border controversy after other avenues, including decades of bilateral talks, failed.

Extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly. Here, the lawmakers are denouncing the referendum and reaffirming that the ICJ is the only avenue for a final settlement of the border controversy after other avenues, including decades of bilateral talks, failed.

And Teixeira made it clear that this planned referendum is “contrite” and opined that relations with Venezuela’s, in relation to the decades- old border controversy, are perhaps at their “worst and most menacing.”

So, she said, “I call on the hardworking Venezuela people to reject questions three and five of the referendum… I believe the Venezuelan people are capable of reading through the lines and this decision they are asked to make would not bring greater benefits to their lives, in fact it will bring greater harm.”

The seasoned politician added, “We just have to look at the world right now and see the destruction that annexation unilaterally does.”

Teixeira also noted that there are many in Venezuela who do not agree with their government’s aggressions towards Guyana and claim of the Essequibo region. So she said people must not embrace xenophobia even as Guyana fights off the Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s land.

“… we must be on the side of righteousness and justice not on the side of bullyism and threats. We hope that the Venezuelan government will see the light,” Minister Teixeira said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Parliamentarian Roysdale Forde also echoed the Opposition’s support for the moves to settle the controversy at the ICJ. But he too noted that Guyana has no quarrels with Venezuela; according to him, Guyana only wants to defend what belongs to it.

“We stand united and all Guyanese are united on the fact that Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” Forde said.

Already, Guyana has approached the ICJ, seeking an injunction to prevent Venezuela from taking action through its provocative referendum over Guyana’s territory – Essequibo. There will be a hearing on November 14.

Teixeira said the speed at which the Court is dealing with this referendum should not go unnoticed and should serve as an indication of how seriously the border controversy is being treated.

The borders of Guyana and Venezuela were determined by an arbitral tribunal on October 3, 1899, and Venezuela inherited 13,000 square kilometres of Guyana’s territory (then under British rule).

Matthew Vieira did not back down, taking the podium on race one of the day (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/November 5, 2023)

Race two was red-flagged after just one lap, forcing a no-result. At this point, Vieira was leading, with Dylan Singh and Heeranand Boodram in pursuit.

The final race of the day was a clean sweep by Team Mohamed’s with Linfoot winning ahead of Jackson and Westmoreland, with Vieira fourth.

In the opening race of the day, Linfoot broke the lap record, clocking one minute, 17.014 seconds to erase the old mark of 1:18.796s previously held by Vieira.

Westmoreland, at qualifying on Saturday, was timed at 1:15.798s, bettering Mark Vieira’s 1:16.271s recorded with the Radical SR3.

Westmoreland and Jackson were racing in Guyana for the first time, while Linfoot competed in the November race meet in 2019.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, it was agreed that a national education campaign is necessary.

Walton- Desir spoke at an Extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly on Monday. She began her contribution to the House by singing Guyana’s Song of the Republic.

Like her colleagues who spoke before her, the Parliamentarian also denounced Venezuela’s planned December 3, 2023 referendum wherein the Nicolas Maduro government will seek the support of citizens in continuation of its claim of Guyana’s Essequibo region. Guyana views the move as an affront to the ongoing juridical process currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

And Walton- Desir said she and her colleagues in the Opposition fully support the government’s rejection of Venezuela’s aggressions and said Guyana must remain committed to international law.

For her, national unity is also a must.

“The time for petty, partisan politics must be over.

“This moment demands that we rise above this,” she said.

Lawmakers gathered for this extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly to denounce Venezuela actions and clearly demonstrate the political unity on the border controversy. They were joined by members of the diplomatic corps, President’s College students and other stakeholders.

Guyana has since approached the ICJ, seeking an injunction to prevent Venezuela from taking action through its provocative referendum over Guyana’s territory – Essequibo.

The borders of Guyana and Venezuela were determined by an arbitral tribunal on October 3, 1899, and Venezuela inherited 13,000 square kilometres of Guyana’s territory (then under British rule).