The United Nations (UN) reaffirmed this Wednesday (6) that the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region are “binding” for both countries and must be fulfilled “properly”.
The organization’s position, issued by Secretary General António Guterres, comes days after Venezuela held a referendum, in which the Maduro regime stated that the population approved the country’s plans to annex the Essequibo region, an area of 160 thousand square kilometers rich in natural resources and corresponding to around 70% of Guyana’s territory.
The ICJ, in its decision on Friday (1st), asked Venezuela to “refrain from taking any action that would alter the situation in the territory or that would aggravate or prolong the dispute with Guyana”. The court also stated that it had jurisdiction to resolve the case, which was contested by Venezuela, which does not recognize the ICJ’s authority on the matter.
Guterres made no mention of Maduro’s referendum, but reiterated his support for “the exclusive use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes.”
The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, denounced this Wednesday that Venezuela’s action plan “is an imminent threat to its territorial integrity and world peace”, and announced precautionary measures to protect the country. He also said that the “Guyana Defense Force was on high alert” and in contact with other military forces from other countries, “including the United States Southern Command.”
The decision issued last Friday by the ICJ was forwarded to the UN Security Council, which could convene a session to deal with the matter, as requested this Wednesday by President Ali. (With EFE Agency)
#ICJ #decisions #Essequibo #binding #Venezuela #Guyana