GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—President Irfaan Ali reiterated Wednesday that Guyana will not “now or ever” surrender any part of the Essequibo to Venezuela, as the South American country plans to hold an election in the disputed area.
Caracas is moving ahead with its plans despite a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the South American country must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in the disputed territory currently under Guyanese control.
The Venezuelan government has rejected the ICJ pronouncement, saying it does not recognize the court’s authority and that the court has no right to interfere in internal affairs.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here on Wednesday, President Ali said Guyana is not prepared to give “not a square inch would be ceded, now or ever.”
Ali said that Guyana’s actions amid the border controversy are guided by three main pillars: diplomacy, support from the international community, and building the capacity of its defense system.
He told reporters that diplomacy continues to be important and that the country’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, has clear instructions.
“Our instructions to the Ambassador and the Embassy there is to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our position is well-known to all stakeholders,” President Ali said.
Ali also welcomed a recent statement by the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, that Washington considers Guyana a very important partner.
Ambassador Theriot said Tuesday that the US is prepared to support the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in its efforts to combat the growing threat posed by foreign gangs along the Cuyuni River, a key stretch of the border between Guyana and Venezuela.
President Ali said that crimefighting is not just “guns and firing” but a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
“It’s gathering intelligence, it’s understanding what’s happening. We have a holistic approach to this matter and other matters,” he added.
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