Guyana appeals to US & UN as Venezuela advances annexation of territory
This was announced by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in a television broadcast late on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
“I have spoken to the secretary general of the United Nations and several leaders, alerting them of these dangerous developments and the desperate actions of President Maduro,” President Ali stated.
Ignoring the International Court of Justice (ICJ) warning, on Sunday, December 1, 2023, Maduro went ahead with a planned referendum that sought the public's opinion on the annexation of Guyana's Essequibo region.
Though voter turnout was low and government figures have been widely questioned by observers, the Venezuelan government said 95% of voters agreed to ignore the court and recognise Essequibo as part of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s advances towards annexation
The Venezuelan president said he had ordered a law to be drafted recognising a new state – the Guayana-Esequiba – where the English-speaking residents would be given Venezuelan national ID cards. He also ordered national companies to begin mining and oil extraction operations in the resource-rich region, and for a special military unit to be created for the region, alarming observers and causing Brazil to send armoured vehicles to its border.
Venezuela has laid claim to Essequibo since it gained independence from Spain, contesting the borders drawn up with the then-British colony, Guyana.
Guyana’s military on ‘high alert’- President Ali
“The Guyana Defence Force is on high alert,” President Ali said in his television address to the nation. “This is a direct threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence.”
Guyana is seeking support from the Caribbean political community, Caricom, the United States, and other allies while raising the matter with the UN security council, Ali added, while simultaneously seeking to reassure investors concerned that Maduro could imminently stage a land grab.
“You have nothing to worry about when you invest in a country that governs itself in accordance with the rule of law, that stands on the side of democracy and understands what true freedom is,” Ali said.
“So there is nothing to fear. Our international partners and international community are ready to support us. They’ve assured us of their support and all we want is for these missteps to be corrected by President Maduro and Venezuela,” The Guyana president stated.
A 16-member from the [British] Virgin Islands visited Guyana in July to explore trade, investment and enhanced cooperation with Guyana. The VI team was led by the Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade.
27 Responses to “Guyana appeals to US & UN as Venezuela advances annexation of territory”
When the Bombs, and other Artilleries start letting off , where are you going to run to.
The Two Fellows who Carried you over cant do a thing.
Go and SWIM IN THE OIL YOU LOOKING FOR.
Cheaters are always caught it just take a while ,sometime.
....and the US and UN going mek Ali sign agreement where he basically sign away the oil for protection...........thsi nah go down nice at all......
Moreover, Guyana has hit an oil bonanza, yet it suffers from a resource- curse, ie, it is rich in natural resources but the country still has a high level of poverty. It is is phenomena that afflicts developing but resource- rich countries. This typically occurs because the countries lacked tge economic mechanisms, specific skills, etc for turning resources into abundant output to benefit a majority of the populace. Prosperity and poverty are functions of well, equally, etc, resources are allocated. The spoils of Guyana’s oil must be managed so as to benefit the most people,
Oil is the life blood of the global economy; oil has replaced gold as money. It is important to note oil is traded in US dollars—-petrodollars. And nations that control oil controls the world. Petrodollars permits/supports the hegemony of the US. Petrodollars must be defended , for if oil is not traded in US dollars, the US’ economy could face a challenge (s). As noted earlier Maduro is pushing nationalism ahead of next year’s election but he is dictator who wants to stay in power so he may not want to push things too far and too aggressively, saber rattling aside, fearing the engagement from the US and others. Nevertheless, Guyana’s CARICOM’s cohorts must come to its defense. An attack one is an attack on all.