Jagdeo slams Opposition refusal to support sovereignty motion

…says there was room for amendments

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has blasted the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) opposition, led by Aubrey Norton, for their refusal to support a parliamentary motion reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo region and condemning Venezuela’s holding of the May 25 elections. After expressing their non-support for the motion tabled on May 23, the party walked out from the National Assembly.

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo described the walkout by the opposition as a political stunt rooted in “dishonesty” and “opportunism,” aimed at undermining national unity during a time of heightened international scrutiny.
“So, the motion was to show solidarity by reaffirming the 1899 Arbitral Award. Now, everyone, that’s non-controversial. Secondly, the motion was to condemn Venezuela’s defence of the ICJ (International Court of Justice) provisional orders, which were very, very clear that these elections must not be conducted. So, that was the second purpose of the motion, which was clearly enshrined in the motion. And the third was to seek international solidarity for the ICJ position and Guyana’s position on the 1899 award”.
“Norton walked out of the parliament, did not support the motion. He and his AFC and APNU did not support the motion in parliament, and they blamed the lack of consultation on the motion as the main reason for this walkout,” Jagdeo said.
Jagdeo also rejected claims by Opposition figures that the motion was flawed for failing to outline Guyana’s defence strategy against Venezuela.
In fact, he revealed that the Opposition was given the motion on May 14, well ahead of Venezuela’s elections, and were invited to co-sponsor it in a show of bipartisan unity.
“So, he could have stood up in parliament and said, I will vote for this, because that’s in the motion, these elements. However, I have the following concerns…But this is complete nonsense. This is defending PNC’s incompetence. On the 14th of May, this motion was sent to the Chief Whip in parliament for the opposition, Christopher Jones, with an understanding that they could get back… I told him, let’s sponsor the motion jointly, that we’ll go forward with. It had to be put to the parliament, because there is a timeline. You had to get it done before the elections in Venezuela,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, the Government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while also seeking accountability through diplomatic channels.
Earlier this month, President Dr Irfaan Ali had reaffirmed that the GDF is mobilised and prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela.
The Head of State emphasised that security operations are actively underway, particularly in light of Venezuela’s upcoming unlawful elections and continued claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region — claims which Guyana has consistently rejected and challenged through international legal avenues.
After years of failed good offices process through the United Nations (UN), and based on the recommendation of the-then UN Secretary General, Guyana approached the World Court in March 2018, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The case is currently pending before the ICJ, which has already established its jurisdiction to hear the matter. Guyana has already filed two written pleadings on the merits, and Venezuela has filed one, with its second pleading due in August 2025.
Oral hearings are expected in the first half of 2026, following which the Court will deliberate on the case and issue its final judgment on the Merits, which will be binding on the parties.