Guyana-Venezuela border controversy: Brazil recommits to supporting ICJ process for peaceful resolution

– as Minister Todd updates Brazilian counterpart on recent developments

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd on Monday provided an update on the recent developments on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira.
Minister Todd reiterated Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the controversy in accordance with international law and underscored that the current International Court of Justice (ICJ) process represents a mutually agreed mechanism for a peaceful, just, binding, and permanent settlement of the controversy over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the course of the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

Mauro Vieira, in expressing his country’s support for the current ICJ process to resolve the controversy over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, indicated that Brazil adheres to the peaceful settlement of boundaries.
He also underscored that Brazil has great respect for the ICJ and awaits the final verdict of the Court which it believes is the best solution, in accordance with international law, especially since the matter was referred by the United Nations Secretary General.
Minister Todd also emphasised the position as articulated by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, that Guyana is irrevocably committed to the settlement process at the ICJ and is available to meet with Venezuela on any subject of interest to the two countries – other than the controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Todd further debunked the false narrative being propagated by Venezuela and reaffirmed that there is no intention by Guyana or any other State to establish a military base in Guyana’s territory.
Minister Vieira emphasised the importance of the peaceful co-existence of countries in the Region if the Region is to advance its integration agenda.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed ideas to advance the bilateral relations between Guyana and Brazil and collaboration at the multilateral level.
Only recently, Guyana reached out and communicated its displeasure to Venezuela, over a referendum planned by the Spanish-speaking country to have its citizens vote on the border controversy with Guyana.

According to a report from BNN Newsroom, the Venezuelan National Assembly approved a nationwide consultative referendum which will see the Venezuelan people being allowed to express their views on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, through direct and secret votes.
The report also cited the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez. In the statement, Rodriguez is reported to have criticised the delegation that participated in talks with Venezuela in Mexico back in 2021 and to have accused them of backtracking from supporting Venezuela on its border controversy with Guyana.
But in a subsequent statement, the Government of Guyana expressed “deep concern” at the decision of the Venezuelan National Assembly to conduct a referendum on “defending Venezuela’s spurious claim to Guyana’s territory of Essequibo”. According to the statement, this upcoming referendum has the potential to foment further tension between the two States.
“Guyana considers that the only appropriate forum for Venezuela to raise its territorial claim, consistent with the rule of international law and the preservation of peace and security, is the International Court of Justice in The Hague which has already determined, twice, that it has jurisdiction to resolve the competing claims of Venezuela and Guyana to the territory in question.”
“Resolution by the Court assures both Parties of a final, binding, and permanent settlement that is equitable, just and consistent with international law… Guyana’s concerns have been communicated to the Government of Venezuela,” the statement further explained.