Guyana-Venezuela border controversy: Macron reaffirms France’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity 

In keeping with its longstanding support, France has reiterated its respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the country seeks to settle the decades-long border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.
This was indicated by French President Emmanuel Macron in a letter to President Dr Irfaan Ali on Guyana’s 60th independence anniversary.

“Following the opening of the hearings before the International Court of Justice concerning the dispute over the Essequibo region, France reaffirms its commitment to the respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law,” President Macron said in the letter.
Venezuela is laying spurious claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass and a portion of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are ongoing.
Back in 2018, Guyana had approached the ICJ, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which establishes the boundaries with Venezuela.
Earlier this month, both Guyana and Venezuela presented oral arguments on the merits of their respective cases before the World Court, which will now deliberate on its decision – something about which Guyana is confident.
Only last Friday, President Ali said that the ICJ’s pending ruling will give finality to the border controversy with Venezuela, and Guyana will wait with patience and dignity for that decision, which is likely by the end of this year.
“Guyana has pledged repeatedly, including at these oral hearings, that it will abide by the court’s judgement, whatever it may be. Guyana is confident, in fact, that after the oral hearings, we are even more confident than ever that the Court will uphold the legal validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the finality and permanence of the international boundary between Guyana and Venezuela,” the Guyanese leader told a May 22 press conference in Georgetown.
The President had also underscored that disputes between states must be resolved peacefully and never through military force. “We’ll continue to address Venezuela in a spirit of peace, cooperation, and friendship, and as sovereign equals,” he said.
With the Spanish-speaking nation maintaining its position that the court lacks jurisdiction to settle this issue and acting President Delcy Rodríguez informing the court just this month that her country rejects any ruling it may issue, President Ali also urged that the rule of law be upheld – something he reiterated during his address to the nation to usher in Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary on Monday evening.
“This is not the language of a neighbour; this is not the language of international law; this is not the language of peace. That is why tonight my language cannot be ambiguous. The Essequibo is Guyana’s. It has never been Venezuelan, nor was it ever Spanish, and for more than a century and a quarter since the 1899 Arbitral Award settled its boundary, Guyana has indisputably included Essequibo. It is and will remain Guyanese.” He said.
“It is our fervent hope that Venezuela’s expression of disrespect for the court and for international law reflects the emotions that often accompany litigation of this kind. We hope that after passions recede and responsible Government officials reflect, they will conclude, as we have done, that both states are best served by an end to this long-standing conflict and that the only way to secure a just and lasting peace and an enduring friendship is by respect for and compliance with the court’s final judgement, whatever it may be, as required by the United Nations Charter,” the Guyanese Head of State concluded on Monday.
Meanwhile, even as Venezuela rejects the World Court’s jurisdiction, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has reaffirmed that this judicial process is the proper means of resolving decades-long controversy between the two South American neighbours.
This position by the regional bloc was reiterated during the 29th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of the Caribbean Community that was held in Paramaribo, Suriname, from May 20 to 21.
In a joint communiqué on Wednesday, it was noted that during the meeting, the foreign Ministers received an update on the recently concluded oral hearings by Guyana and Venezuela before the World Court.
The CARICOM Ministers expressed satisfaction with the participation of both Guyana and Venezuela in the proceedings and underscored the importance of the parties’ respect for international law; the 1966 Geneva Agreement, especially its Article IV (2) that empowered the Secretary General of the United Nations to choose the ICJ as the means of settlement of the controversy; the Charter of the United Nations; and the final and binding character of the Court’s eventual judgement on the merits.
“Ministers reiterated their full support for the judicial process as the proper means of resolving the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela peacefully, finally and in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and international law, and they reaffirmed Caricom’s firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” Wednesday’s missive detailed.