GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI)Wednesday, supported the joint position taken by the government and the opposition regarding the border dispute with Venezuela, saying “this unified front is a critical underpinning for ensuring the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Guyana.”
In a joint statement, President Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton condemned what they described as “the flagrant violation of the rule of law by Venezuela” as the centuries-old border dispute between the two countries took a new twist on Tuesday.
The statement issued following talks between Ali and Norton said both sides agreed “that no effort should be spared to resist that country’s persistent endeavors to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Venezuela had on Tuesday said it rejected the “offensive statements” made by the Guyana government regarding the upcoming consultative referendum on the Essequibo, which the South American country continues to claim as part of its territory.
“The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the infamous and offensive statements of the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, regarding the consultative referendum scheduled for December 3, 2023, which are loaded with deep contempt for the people Venezuelan, its Bolivarian history and its right to express itself, democratically, in matters of special national importance,” Caracas said in a statement.
Earlier, Georgetown said it is concerned that Venezuela’s referendum could lay the groundwork for annexing the county of Essequibo, which Caracas has been claiming belongs to it.
Guyana said it had taken “careful note” of the issuance by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela of five questions to be asked in the national referendum.
It said among other questions, all of which are intended to further Venezuela’s “unlawful and unfounded claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory, question five is the most pernicious.
In its statement, the GCCI said it is “heartened” by the talks between President Ali and Norton on the border issue, saying, “These talks demonstrate a degree of political maturity and leadership required to navigate these circumstances.
“The Chamber calls for all Guyanese to show support and unify for this cause. The maintenance of our Guyana must be of paramount importance. The GCCI will continue to support efforts in this arena and believes that our leader is charting the right course,” it added.
Guyana instituted proceedings against Venezuela by Application to the International Criminal Court (ICJ) on March 29, 2018, asking the Court to resolve the controversy that has arisen as a result of Venezuela’s contention, formally asserted for the first time in 1962, that the 1899 Arbitral Award Regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela is “null and void.”
Georgetown said it remains firmly of the view that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is valid, is committed to a path of final and peaceful settlement, and will continue to adhere to the rule of International Law and the procedures of the ICJ.
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