Venezuela border controversy: OAS, Commonwealth, Caricom call on Venezuela to respect ICJ’s ruling

– Every state must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity of others – Caricom
– Commonwealth offers full support to Guyana ahead of Venezuela’s referendum – Commonwealth SG

The World Court’s order barring Venezuela from taking any action to seize Essequibo while the Court makes its decision about the validity of the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award was welcomed, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation of American States (OAS) announced on Friday.
Altogether, they have urged Venezuela to respect the ruling.
Caricom in a response to the ruling made it clear that “The Court’s order prohibits Venezuela from taking such a measure, or any other measure that would change the status quo in the territory, regardless of the outcome of the Venezuelan referendum on Sunday.”

By the order, Caricom noted that Venezuela must not take any action to challenge, disrupt or interfere with “Guyana’s longstanding control and administration of the Essequibo Region, which constitutes more than two-thirds of Guyana’s land territory until the Court has issued its final Judgment on which State enjoys sovereignty over that territory.”
According to the regional body, the order “reinforces the fundamental principle of International Law, enshrined in the United Nations (UN) and OAS Charters, that every State has the duty to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. The order makes clear that holding a national referendum does not exempt a State from its obligation to comply with this duty.”
Venezuela cannot by a referendum, or otherwise, violate international law and disregard the order of the world’s highest Court, Caricom emphasised in a statement.
Caricom said it expects Venezuela to uphold the ICJ’s ruling. It also insists that Venezuela complies with international law in all respects, and the Charter of the UN, and, in this connection, calls on it to take no actions in violation of them.
According to Caricom, the Venezuela-Guyana controversy is properly before the ICJ by the decision of the Secretary General of the UN for final settlement, pursuant to the provisions of the 1966 Geneva Agreement to which both Venezuela and Guyana are bound.

“Caricom demands that Venezuela pursue its claims within the law and the legal process. Further, Caricom demands that the Caribbean be respected as a Zone of Peace and that nothing should be done to disrupt the tranquillity of the Region, which is essential to the economic prosperity and social well-being of all countries of Caricom and Latin America.”

Commenting on the recent decision, Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland KC, said: “Ahead of the planned referendum in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the 3rd of December, the Commonwealth offers its full support to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, a valued Commonwealth member, and is encouraged by the support also shown by our brothers and sisters in Caricom, and by many other states.”
While all states are encouraged to consult their citizenry, the Commonwealth said it noted with “deep concern” that the planned referendum on December 3 in Venezuela will challenge the ICJ’s jurisdiction, propose a formal annexation of the Essequibo territory, give Venezuelan citizenship, and national identity cards to nationals of Guyana in the region under dispute, potentially be a license to violate the territorial integrity of Guyana and constitute aggravation of the dispute which the December 1 decision of the ICJ discourages.

The Commonwealth reiterated its collective faith in due process, respect for national territorial sovereignty, international law, global order, peace and security, and cordial international relations in the Caribbean and the Latin American region.
The Commonwealth, therefore, called on all members of the UN to encourage the parties to respect the integrity, sanctity, and binding nature of the decisions of the ICJ in this matter and the provisional measures under Article 41 of the Statute of the ICJ that have binding effect and create international legal obligations for parties.
“The Commonwealth unequivocally condemns any action likely to breach the peace in the Region.
The Commonwealth encourages and offers its support to both governments to resolve the matter diplomatically and peacefully for the good of the people of the region and the present and future generations of both states. May peace, truth, and justice prevail.”
Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro in response to the ruling via X, formerly Twitter, wrote: “We consider [the] ICJ decision as fundamental in requesting Venezuela to refrain from all provocative, warmongering, and illegal actions that encroach on the established boundaries of Guyana’s territory.”
He too reminded that the Court’s ruling is binding and must be respected by the Venezuelan regime.
Meanwhile, The Bahamas’ Foreign Affairs Ministry said the ICJ’s decision is important in maintaining regional stability and upholding international law.
The Bahamas assured that it will continue advocating for peaceful dialogue and respect for the ICJ’s ongoing processes in this matter while reaffirming its commitment to a diplomatic solution. (Feona Morrison)