In support of Guyana’s sovereignty & Exxon against Venezuelan aggression

Dear Editor,
This has relevance to your news reports on Venezuela’s military aggression against business operations in Guyana’s economic zone.
Regardless of one’s position on Exxon, every Guyanese at home and abroad, and every one of Guyana’s allies in the region and globally — every peace-loving, democratic person — must stand behind Government and Exxon in condemning Venezuela’s threatening action against the vessel of the oil giant operating in Guyana’s waters.
The Venezuelan Navy on Friday threatened the crew and the vessel of ExxonMobil operating in Guyana’s waters in what our western neighbour claims as its (disputed) territory. Exxon has been operating legally in Guyana’s waters under licence and permit since 1999. The company has the support of the USA and the world community, and is searching and drilling for fossil energy to produce oil and gas.
The territory where Exxon has been operating has been under Guyana’s jurisdiction for two hundred years. The controversy is before the World Court in The Hague for a final resolution. Guyana, de jure and de facto, has been governing the territory, and has been exercising sovereignty over it, thereby having legal jurisdiction over it.
In International Law, while the matter is before the ICJ, the status quo holds, giving Guyana the right to administer the territory and to enter into agreements, including granting permits for economic development.
The international rule of law has given Guyana the right to sign a lease agreement with Exxon and other investors.
Venezuela has no legal right to enter into Guyana’s waters, and to harass and intimidate any crew of any vessel and/or block any vessel from operating in the waters claimed by our hostile neighbour. Venezuela has no de facto or de jure control over the territory; thus, according to international law, its claimed sovereignty is not being violated, as it lacks jurisdiction over the territory. Its military bullyism will not work, and already is rejected by regional and international organizations.
Venezuela was instructed by the ICJ not to disrupt the status quo and normal activity in the area, but it has defied the ICJ in engaging in aggressive military action against Exxon’s right to drill for, produce, and load and off load oil. If Venezuela has any respect for international law (legal principle), it must cease and desist from such adventurous military actions, allowing Exxon and other investors to continue with unimpeded access to operations.
In addition, the area in which Exxon is operating is in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone, the revenues from which have sustained Guyana’s development over the last five years.
Exxon should not be cowed by any Venezuelan military action. Exxon need not fear a repeat of what Venezuela did to it twenty years ago under Hugo Chavez, by confiscating its assets. Exxon is operating under Guyana’s rightful jurisdiction. The international community accepts and respects Guyana’s sovereignty over the territory. Thus Exxon (and other investors), in accordance with international law, has the protection of the World Court and moral suasion of the world community that has condemned Venezuelan behaviour.
The USA has also recognized Guyana’s sovereignty over the territory and Exxon’s operations in the waters. Washington has warned Venezuela about its action against an American-registered multinational corporation. The consequences for Venezuela would be serious (disastrous) if its military aggression against Exxon or any American company continues.
Guyana must not only seek from its allies assistance against Venezuela but also enter into a friendship and defense treaty with Washington against Venezuelan threat.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram