GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said he has alerted the relevant authorities of Venezuela’s continued aggressions, including the buildup of troops at the shared border.
Speaking during a press conference, Jagdeo was questioned about a video circulating on social media showing Venezuelan troops building a bridge on Ankoko Island.
Jagdeo reminded citizens that Ankoko Island forms part of the border between Guyana and Venezuela and is shared by both countries. However, Venezuela “forcibly took over” that island and acknowledged the buildup of troops there.
“We notified the relevant agencies about the continued attempts by Venezuela to build up a presence at our border in a threatening posture and that it is inconsistent with what we agreed to, which is that we want to keep this region as a zone of peace.
We are not sitting idly by, we are very vigilant, closely monitoring the developments, and actively working with our allies on this matter. Our primary focus is the unwavering defense of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Jagdeo assured.
He reiterated that both countries signed the Argyle Declaration in December 2023 and that the agreement stated, among other things, that they would not threaten or use force against one another.
The presidents of both countries have also engaged with each other, hoping to advance bilateral relations outside of the substantive border controversy.
The border controversy case, a beacon of hope for resolution, is currently before the esteemed International Court of Justice (ICJ). Guyana is hopeful for a full, final and binding judgement that the border between the two states was settled after the 1899 Arbitral Award and a reaffirmation that the Essequibo region unequivocally belongs to Guyana.
and then 