UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council issued a statement on Monday urging Venezuela and Guyana to avoid escalating tensions over the disputed Essequibo region, which has been a longstanding territorial dispute between the two countries.
Essequibo constitutes approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and has been under Guyanese administration for over a century.
The dispute heightened in 2015 following the discovery of oil reserves by US-based ExxonMobil within the region. The Security Council expressed concern over the potential escalation of tensions and emphasized the importance of both parties exercising maximum restraint.
The council reminded Venezuela and Guyana of their obligations to comply with the Order of Provisional Measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 1, 2023. This ICJ order directed Venezuela not to take any actions that would alter the status quo in Essequibo.
Despite this directive, Venezuela proceeded to hold a non-binding referendum shortly after, approving the creation of a Venezuelan province in the disputed area, raising concerns about a potential military conflict. Additionally, Venezuela’s congress enacted legislation aimed at defending this claimed territory.
Both countries previously committed to refraining from using force to resolve the border dispute, which is currently being adjudicated by the UN court. The Security Council’s statement underscores the imperative of adhering to international legal processes and fostering peaceful resolutions to territorial disputes.
