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CARICOM has issued a firmly worded statement calling on Venezuela to keep its naval vessels out of Guyana’s waters.
Venezuela has a longstanding, though dubious, claim on parts of the territory of Guyana and its offshore waters, which are rich in oil and gas.
This statement from CARICOM condemns Venezuela’s military actions near Guyana’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms, calling them aggressive and against international law.
It urges Venezuela to remove its vessel from Guyana’s waters and refrain from further provocations, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution through the International Court of Justice.
CARICOM reaffirms its strong support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while stressing that both nations should exercise patience and avoid conflict, in line with the 2023 Argyle Declaration.
Venezuela’s claim to a large portion of Guyana, including its offshore waters, is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute over the Essequibo region, an area covering about two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass and extending into its maritime territory. The legitimacy of Venezuela’s claim is highly contested and largely rejected under international law. Here’s an overview of the legal and historical aspects:
1. Historical Background of the Dispute
- In 1899, an international arbitration tribunal (comprising representatives from the U.S., Britain, and Russia) ruled that the Essequibo region belonged to British Guiana (now Guyana).
- Venezuela accepted this ruling for decades but later rejected it in 1962, claiming the decision was unfair and made under undue British and U.S. influence.
- In 1966, the Geneva Agreement was signed between Venezuela, the UK, and British Guiana (shortly before Guyana’s independence), agreeing to seek a peaceful resolution. However, it did not nullify the 1899 ruling.
- Since then, Venezuela has continued to challenge the border, insisting that the Essequibo region and its adjacent maritime areas are part of its territory.
2. The International Legal Status
- The 1899 Arbitration Award remains the key legal basis for Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo.
- The case is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in December 2020 ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the dispute. In April 2023, the ICJ also ruled that Venezuela must not take actions that would alter the status quo while the case is pending.
- Guyana argues that the 1899 ruling was final and binding, while Venezuela insists that the issue remains unsettled.
3. Oil Discovery and Maritime Tensions
- Tensions have escalated since major oil reserves were discovered off the coast of Guyana in 2015 by ExxonMobil.
- Venezuela has increasingly asserted claims over Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which contains significant oil deposits.
- The recent deployment of Venezuelan military vessels near Guyana’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms is seen as an escalatory move and a challenge to international maritime law.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a regional organization established to promote economic integration, cooperation, and policy coordination among its member states. It was founded by the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973 and includes both Caribbean island nations and mainland countries with strong cultural and historical ties to the region.
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