CARICOM reaffirms support for Guyana’s territorial integrity

-in wake of pact between Venezuela gov’t, opposition

CARICOM yesterday reiterated its “unwavering support” for the territorial integrity of Guyana in the wake of a mediated agreement between the Venezuelan government and opposition restating a claim to this country’s county of Essequibo.

Guyana has strongly condemned this aspect of the pact between the

Nicolas Maduro administration and the opposition in Mexico. Georgetown is also to write the mediators objecting to the inclusion of this country’s territory in the agreement.

In its statement, CARICOM said it had taken note of the negotiations in

Mexico which were mediated by Norway between representatives of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Opposition, seeking to bring an end to the protracted multidimensional crisis afflicting that country.

“The Community has also taken note of the two initial agreements that have been reached on the Social Protection of the Venezuela People, and on the Ratification and Defence of Venezuelan Sovereignty over the Guyana Essequibo. As concerns the latter, the Caribbean Community reiterates its firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana”, the statement said.

CARICOM also reaffirmed its support for the ongoing judicial process of the International Court of Justice that is intended to bring a definitive end to the longstanding controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and it urged Caracas to participate in the process.

Venezuela has declined thus far to participate in the proceedings. Guyana approached the ICJ for a judicial settlement to the controversy after years of stalemate and the ICJ has since ruled that it has jurisdiction in the matter.