Georgetown, Guyana – Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has expressed concern over Venezuela’s recent legislation, the “Organic Law for the Defence of Essequibo,” which claims control over two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, echoed these concerns, highlighting that the law appears to violate a December 2023 International Court of Justice (ICJ) order calling on Venezuela to refrain from actions modifying the status quo in the disputed territory.
The new Venezuelan law establishes a “state of Guyana Essequibo” within its borders, granting the Venezuelan government control over the region. This directly contradicts the ICJ order, which currently recognizes Guyana’s administration of the disputed territory.
Further complicating the situation, the law seemingly undermines a December 2023 agreement between Guyana and Venezuela promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution through international law.
Secretary-General Scotland reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s support for Guyana and its commitment to resolving the dispute through the ongoing ICJ process. She urged Venezuela to respect international law and pursue peaceful means to manage the conflict.