France has voiced its concerns over Venezuela’s military actions in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, calling for respect of Guyana’s sovereignty as per the International Court of Justice ruling. Various international entities, including the US and CARICOM, urged Venezuela to cease provocations regarding oil activities. The territorial dispute is currently under consideration by the ICJ. Venezuela, however, has dismissed accusations from Guyana’s President, asserting claims to the disputed maritime areas while tensions rise in the region.
France has joined the international community in expressing concern regarding Venezuela’s military incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The French government urged Caracas to refrain from any actions that would violate the provisional measures set forth by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its December 2023 order, emphasizing the importance of respecting Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Recently, Guyana raised alarm over a Venezuelan naval vessel that lingered near its oil assets for approximately four hours. Following this incident, various entities, including the United States, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Organization of American States (OAS), have called upon Venezuela to avoid further provocation targeting ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Washington has warned that continued Venezuelan aggression could lead to “consequences for the Maduro regime,” while reiterating its staunch support for Guyana’s territorial rights and the historical 1899 Arbitral Award. In response, Venezuela has dismissed statements from Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, labeling them as “baseless remarks” and accusing him of misrepresenting the maritime boundaries.
Caracas contended that the waters in question do not belong to Guyana, as they are pending delimitation under international law. The Venezuelan patrol vessel that contacted the FPSO Prosperity alleged that they were operating within disputed Venezuelan waters, heightening tensions between the two nations.
The ongoing territorial dispute is currently before the ICJ, where Guyana has sought a determination on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which delineated the land boundary between the two countries. The court has confirmed its jurisdiction over the matter and plans to rule based on the substantive aspects of the case.
Earlier this year, the Guyanese government expressed serious concerns over actions and statements from Venezuela that they believe contravene both the Argyle Agreement and the ICJ’s binding order, both established in December 2023. The Argyle Agreement, signed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, mandates both countries to refrain from escalating hostilities until the territorial disputes are resolved according to international law.
In summary, France has joined global calls for Venezuela to respect Guyana’s territorial integrity following the latter’s military incursion into disputed waters. Concerns raised by Guyana about Venezuelan naval activities near its oil fields have led to warnings from the United States and other organizations regarding future provocations. The ongoing dispute is under formal consideration by the International Court of Justice. The resolution of these matters continues to be crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region, highlighting the need for adherence to international law by both nations.
Original Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
