Opposition, private sector, international allies stand strong with Guyana against Venezuela’s aggression

Guyana has received a wave of support both at home and abroad following the brazen intrusion of a Venezuelan military vessel into the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) today.

Statements from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Liberty and Democracy Group, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Government of Paraguay, the opposition’s Alliance for Change (AFC) and private sector have all reaffirmed their unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs condemned Venezuela’s intrusion into Guyanese territory, calling the country’s threat to Guyana’s offshore oil and gas assets in the Stabroek Block “unacceptable” and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally recognised maritime territory.

“Further provocation will result in consequences for the Nicolás Maduro regime,” the Bureau warned, reaffirming support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 Arbitral Award.

CARICOM, in its statement today, called on Venezuela to remove its military vessel from Guyanese waters and away from the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, which operate within Guyanese territory.

“All such acts of aggression and provocation are contrary to international law and the 2023 Argyle Declaration. Guyana and Venezuela are enjoined to avoid unnecessary confrontational actions,” CARICOM stated.

The regional bloc emphasised that Venezuela’s provocation contradicts its commitment to CARICOM and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to maintaining the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

It stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the border controversy under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While reiterating its unequivocal support for Guyana’s sovereignty, CARICOM also called for patience, calm, and non-provocation on both sides.

Unacceptable

The Liberty and Democracy Group also rejected Venezuela’s incursion, denouncing the “unacceptable” violation of Guyanese sovereignty and an affront to international law.

The group, which comprises former Latin American and European presidents, highlighted that while Guyana has adhered to international legal mechanisms, the Nicolás Maduro regime continues to disregard rules meant to guarantee peace and stability in the region.

It stressed that respect for internationally recognised borders is fundamental to the global order and that no justification exists for attempting to impose force over a nation’s sovereignty.

The Liberty and Democracy Group called on the international community to uphold Guyana’s sovereignty and prevent Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship from seizing the energy wealth of a growing nation with the potential to become a global model for development.

The General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS) also strongly condemned Venezuelan intimidation.

In its statement, the OAS said it “unequivocally condemned” Venezuela’s use of a military vessel to threaten ExxonMobil’s FPSO units operating within Guyana’s internationally recognised maritime territory.

The OAS asserted that such acts of intimidation violate international law, undermine regional stability, and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations.

The OAS urged restraint from the Venezuelan regime, calling on it to respect the ongoing international legal processes, including the ICJ’s adjudication of the territorial controversy.

The regional body also encouraged the international community to remain vigilant and stand in defense of the rule of law and regional security.

The Government of Paraguay condemned what it described as the “invasion” of Guyana’s maritime space by a Venezuelan military vessel. Paraguay reaffirmed its support for the people and government of Guyana in ensuring that its territory is respected.

Opposition Support

The Alliance for Change (AFC) also denounced Venezuela’s intimidation, calling it a “barefaced show of force.” The party reminded the public of the recent attacks on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and now, the presence of a Venezuelan navy vessel within Guyana’s maritime zone.

The AFC labelled these actions as “lawless and reckless.”

“The AFC stands in solidarity with the Government and Armed Forces of Guyana and calls on every Guyanese to stand ready to engage and defend against any attempt to violate our sovereignty,” the party declared.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of controversies. However, he warned that, “fortified by the strong voices and resolute support of our international partners, Guyana will not allow Maduro and Venezuela to threaten or violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

“We greatly appreciate the international solidarity and unwavering support extended to us by our global partners. We will remain in close contact with them to protect Guyana’s interests and maintain peace in our region,” President Ali stated.

President Ali also briefed Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on the latest developments in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Private Sector

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana strongly condemned the unwarranted aggression, emphasising that Venezuela’s actions violate Guyana’s sovereignty and international law while threatening regional peace and stability.

In a statement, the PSC expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Guyana, endorsing the country’s diplomatic engagements with the United Nations, OAS, CARICOM, and ICJ to safeguard Guyana’s territorial integrity.

The PSC also thanked the international community for its firm support and commitment to upholding international law and regional security.

“We remain resolute in our advocacy for peace, stability, and the rule of law. We urge all stakeholders to pursue a diplomatic resolution that respects Guyana’s sovereignty and international legal frameworks,” the commission stated.

The Shipping Association of Guyana also expressed grave concern over the incident, warning that it jeopardises the lawful operations of vessels within Guyana’s internationally recognised waters.

The association stressed that protecting maritime routes and offshore assets is crucial for economic stability and that any hostile actions threatening these must be strongly opposed.

“We commend the Government of Guyana for its swift diplomatic engagement with international partners, including the OAS, CARICOM, and ICJ, to ensure that this violation is addressed in accordance with international law,” the association said.

The Shipping Association also urged Venezuela to respect Guyana’s sovereignty and adhere to peaceful resolution mechanisms, instead of resorting to intimidation tactics that threaten regional stability.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in a statement this evening, noted the presence of the Venezuelan patrol vessel Guaiquerí (PO 11) operating within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The GDF reiterated its vigilance in monitoring all activities within Guyana’s maritime domain and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Our security protocols remain in place, and we continue to coordinate, mobilise, and deploy the necessary resources to ensure a measured and appropriate response to developments in our waters,” the GDF assured.

In collaboration with its international partners, the GDF is assessing the security implications of this development while remaining proactive in maintaining stability within Guyana’s maritime space.

“The security and well-being of our nation remain our utmost priority, and we reaffirm our dedication to defending Guyana’s air, land, and sea domains,” the army stated.