Venezuelan border controversy: World Court has powers to enforce order on Venezuela – Attorney General

– reiterates no need to panic or move into a mode of hysteria

Guyana currently awaits word from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as it seeks to block efforts by Venezuelans to annex Essequibo via a referendum planned for December 3, and one buzzing concern is whether the Spanish-speaking neighbour will abide by the edict.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has cautioned that there is no need for hysteria, since the Court is equipped with powers to enforce orders. Appearing on his Issues in the News programme on Tuesday evening, the Legal Affairs Minister drew attention to utterances from top officials from Venezuela which have prompted concerns among the population.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, during her presentation to the World Court, stated that Guyana is targeting the Venezuelan migrants living here in violation of international human rights, and promoting xenophobia against migrants who have escaped harsh social and economic conditions in their country.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has outrightly denounced these claims while stating that the Venezuelan official was trying to score political points by making these allegations.
Nandlall assured that through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the World Court has the authority to enforce its own judgement.
“That question has arisen with greater seriousness, having regard to the utterances that keep coming from top Government officials of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…What we can assure is that the Court itself has the wherewithal and the legal repertoire and authority under international law to enforce its own judgement. The enforcement arm of the Court is the United Nations Security Council. Any court, even magistrate of municipal courts, has the power to enforce their orders. It is that coercive power that keeps the majesty of the court intact,” Nandlall noted.
If a court grants orders that it is incapable of enforcing, the AG noted, it will lose its respect and majesty as an important law enforcement institution. He directed, “It will become a rubber stamp. I can’t imagine that the International Court of Justice, which is the pinnacle and the very summit of the international legal structure, will be a court that is unable to enforce its own orders.”
In an attempt to further assure Guyanese that there is no need to panic or move into a mode of hysteria, Nandlall added that Guyana has its own national capabilities, compounded with the fact that it has secured the assistance and support of the entire hemisphere with the exception of Nicaragua.
“Other than Nicaragua, I have not heard of another country in this hemisphere supporting the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on this matter. The entire hemisphere, with all important organisations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, Commonwealth, Caricom, and others, have all registered their support and their condemnation of Venezuela.”
Guyana’s legal team argued before the World Court that the country was not attempting to halt Venezuela’s referendum, but was rather seeking provisional measures that would prevent its Essequibo region from being annexed by any means.
Last weekend, President Irfaan Ali asked that citizens rely only on information from official channels of the Government, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He relayed, “Exciting ourselves through sensational posting, some of it concocted to generate excitement, helps to create an environment of uneasiness. I want to assure members of the public, every Guyanese, that the tireless work that we’re doing over the last couple of weeks is not only bearing fruit, but has enabled us to strengthen our relationships with our partners.”
Round the clock, the Head of State shared that no effort is being spared to enhance capabilities locally. First and foremost, the Administration is working on a plan to bring awareness to the population, educating about the controversy and the planned referendum. (G-12)