Venezuela, Guyana share historic, cultural connections – Home Affairs Minister

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony hosted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday evening alluded to the fact that Venezuela and Guyana share historic and cultural connections.
During his address, he emphasised that Guyana views Venezuela not as an adversary but as a ‘cousin’ while reiterating that Guyana will not resort to violence.
“We do not want to fight with Venezuela, we view them as our cousins and brothers because we have relations in Venezuela for many of our people and we want Venezuela to also be prosperous, safe, and at peace.”
While the Christmas tree was lit up with festive colours, the shadow of the impending referendum cast a serious tone on the gathering. Minister Benn acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with the planned annexation of the Essequibo region by Venezuela. He highlighted the pivotal role of the Guyana Police Force in maintaining peace and order during these uncertain times.
“When we talk about peace, the Guyana Police Force is at the tip of the spare. The good book says blessed are the peacemakers and I believe that the Guyana Police Force… are fundamentally the peacemakers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken also took the opportunity to address the gathering, assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to protecting the nation.
The elephant in the room, the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, traces its roots back to historical and territorial claims. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Friday added another chapter to this complex saga.
Guyana had approached the ICJ in October 2023, seeking orders against a referendum Venezuela had planned for December 3. That referendum will seek to, among other things, annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state.
After hearing arguments from both Guyana and Venezuela on the former’s request for protection, at the Court’s seat in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday, the President of the Court, Judge Joan Donoghue, announced that the Court has decided in favour of Guyana.
She therefore read the unanimous orders to the parties, reminding them that decisions issued in accordance with Article 41 of the Court’s statute are binding on all parties, and impose international legal obligations on them. The ICJ’s decisions are final, binding, and without appeal.
During the hearing of Guyana’s application for provisional measures on November 14, Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s agent in the case, presented an opening statement on behalf of the country to the court. Meanwhile, Guyana’s legal arguments were presented by Attorneys-at-Law Paul Reichler and Professor Emeritus of the University of Paris Nanterre, Allain Pelley.
Both lawyers had laid out convincing arguments for why Venezuela’s referendum, as presently constructed, threatened Guyana’s sovereignty and international law. The Court was also informed of Venezuela’s mobilisation of its military on the border with Guyana, highlighting the urgency of the ICJ expediting its order.
Reichler had told the court of the tragic fate that awaits Guyana should Venezuela be allowed to go forward and act on the inevitable results of the referendum, particularly question 5 which would seek to annex two-thirds of Guyana.
Meanwhile, Professor Pelley provided evidence of the actions of the Venezuelan National Guard, a heavily armed contingent that patrolled the Cuyuni River in Essequibo on October 3. According to him, this Venezuelan contingent claimed to be patrolling in “our Essequibo” and parroting the Venezuelan slogan that “the sun of Venezuela was born in Essequibo.”
Specifically, Guyana sought an order from the court that Venezuela shall not take any actions that are intended to prepare or allow the exercise of sovereignty or de facto control over any territory that was awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Arbitral Award.
The final ruling’s implications and how both nations navigate the aftermath will undoubtedly shape the future of their relations.
As Guyana continues to navigate these challenging waters, Minister Benn’s message of diplomacy and unity echoes the sentiments of a nation looking towards a peaceful resolution amidst the looming threat of the referendum.