VP Rodriguez presented additional evidence on the Venezuelan sovereign right over the Guayana Esquiba.
On August 11, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez declared that Venezuela will not acknowledge any ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning its territorial dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo region, reports 24brussels.
Rodriguez delivered a document to the ICJ, asserting it encapsulates the “absolute truth” regarding Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, a 61,776-square-mile (160,000-square-kilometer) area endowed with significant natural resources which Venezuela has long laid claim to.
The Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry subsequently released a statement affirming the submission of this new document to the ICJ, which purportedly enhances the historical narrative and Venezuela’s official stance regarding its sovereign claims over Guayana Esequiba.
The Ministry stated, “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announces the submission today to the International Court of Justice of a new document that expands, with additional evidence, the historical truth and the official position regarding its sovereign right over the Guayana Esequiba.”
Venezuela claimed that it has reaffirmed its steadfast legal and factual justification for refusing to submit critical matters concerning its independence and territorial integrity to third-party jurisdictions, such as the ICJ.
This document underscores the recent expression of the Venezuelan populace in a December 3, 2023 referendum, which overwhelmingly opposed recognizing the ICJ or any other judicial body to resolve this territorial matter. The statement further emphasized that it does not signify Venezuela’s acceptance of the Court’s authority nor any potential decision arising from it.
Rodriguez emphasized that the document “indisputably establishes” historical collusion between the British Empire and the United States, which undermined Venezuela’s territorial rights in the past while promoting the Monroe Doctrine in the Americas.
Moreover, the document argues that the 1966 Geneva Agreement should be recognized as the sole legal framework binding both nations to achieve a resolution through mutually acceptable negotiations, rejecting any unilateral or judicial remedies.
The Geneva Agreement, according to Venezuela, defuses the conflict borne from the 1899 arbitral award, representing a shift towards compliance with international anti-colonial laws. It openly acknowledges an existing territorial controversy requiring diplomatic engagement between Venezuela and Guyana.
Venezuela accused the British Empire of deliberately fabricating a conflict aimed at seizing territory rich in resources, a narrative echoed by Guyana’s current legal stance, which Venezuela deems a continuation of colonial practices.
Venezuela called upon Guyana to adhere to its international obligations and engage in authentic negotiations devoid of military threats or reliance on foreign powers, viewing the Geneva Agreement as the basis for a cooperative resolution.
The Bolivarian Republic reiterates its dedication to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to the Geneva Agreement.
“The Venezuelan people, in national unity and faithful to the legacy of our liberators, will defend their legitimate rights over the Guayana Esequiba, anytime and anywhere,” Rodriguez concluded, asserting determination over their claims to the territory.
