The executive vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, insisted this Saturday that Guyana only has the option to negotiate within the framework of the 1996 Geneva Agreement to resolve the border dispute over the Esequibo, a territory of almost 160,000 square kilometers rich in oil and natural resources.
“Guyana has no choice but to negotiate within the framework of the Geneva Agreement, instead of pretending warm -out that threaten the peace of the region,” Rodriguez said in a message posted on Telegram.
The official insisted that Venezuelans will choose a regional governor and deputies and the national Assembly (AN, Parliament) for that area in dispute, currently administered by Guyana, despite the fact that the International Court of Justice (CIJ) ordered Venezuela on Thursday to refrain from celebrating or preparing elections in the Esequibo.
“Venezuela will defend its historical rights over its sacred territory and national union we say every morning: the Sun of Venezuela is born in the Esequibo,” he added.
Guayana refuses to negotiate with Venezuela for the Esequibo
On Friday, Guyana urged Venezuela to fulfill the orders of the ICJ on the dispute over the Esequibo and reiterated its refusal to establish direct bilateral negotiations with the Venezuelan government.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the Guyanese authorities hope that, by fulfilling Venezuela with these orders, “fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.”
The controversy focuses on the Esequibo region, rich in oil and natural resources, administered by Guyana for more than a century, but claimed by Venezuela as part of its territory.
Guyana indicated that he has no intention of establishing “bilateral negotiations regarding the Venezuelan demand for nullity of the 1899 arbitration award and, by extension, his claim on almost two thirds of the territory of Guyana.”
EFE
