Guyanese can now breathe a sigh of relief. The Organization of American States (OAS), via its Secretary General, Luis Almagro, on November 1st, 2023, during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Phillips, reassured its firm support for Guyana in the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.
According to a statement from Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, representatives of CARICOM, the United States, and Brazil, who were all present at the meeting, echoed the statement of the OAS in its commitment to resolve the border dispute peacefully through the ICJ.
The OAS is a 35-member military alliance dedicated to peace and stability of its member states, and of which both Guyana and Venezuela are members. In light of this, Venezuela cannot defy the position of the OAS without giving up its membership in the OAS – a move which would make Venezuela more isolated. If Venezuela opts out of the OAS in the coming months, it may be a sign that it is serious about its threat to forcefully annex the Essequibo.
In the meantime, Guyanese can sleep peacefully knowing that Maduro’s hands are now tied from annexing the Essequibo as long as Venezuela remains a member of the OAS.
Full Statement from Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
PRESS RELEASE
On November 1st, 2023 the Hon. Prime Minister Mark Phillips addressed the Organization of American States (OAS), during an Extraordinary Special Session of the Permanent Council, which was convened at the request of the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to provide an update on the controversy with Venezuela which remains an enduring threat to Guyana.
The Hon. Prime Minister in his address highlighted that Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo Region of Guyana poses a direct threat to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At the Special Session Secretary General, Mr. Luis Almagro, of the OAS reaffirmed the organizations’ support for a peaceful settlement of the controversy in keeping with the principles of international law. Secretary Almagro also noted that the OAS values the message of peace and will not indulge in any threat to the peace and security of the region.
Several members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as well as the United States and Brazil reiterated their unwavering and unequivocal support for Guyana and for a peaceful settlement of the controversy in accordance with international law.
