France has joined the international community in condemning Venezuela’s military incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, urging compliance with international law and respect for sovereignty. This follows an incident involving a Venezuelan naval vessel near Guyana’s oil assets, which has elicited warnings from the United States and other organizations against further provocations. Venezuela has rejected accusations of territorial violations, emphasizing that the waters are subject to dispute.
France has expressed its concern regarding Venezuela’s military incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, urging the Venezuelan government to adhere to international law and respect Guyana’s sovereignty. In a statement, the French government emphasized the importance of complying with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional measures issued in December 2023 to prevent unilateral actions that disrupt the existing situation near Essequibo.
Over the recent weekend, the Guyanese authorities reported a Venezuelan naval vessel near their oil assets for approximately four hours, prompting international reactions. The United States, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS) have called upon Venezuela to cease its provocative actions, particularly those that threaten the operations of ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
The United States has cautioned the Venezuelan regime about the potential consequences of its actions if such provocations continue, simultaneously reaffirming its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity as established by the 1899 Arbitral Award.
In response, Venezuela has rejected the allegations made by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, labeling them as “baseless remarks”. Venezuela contends that its naval forces are not violating Guyana’s maritime territory, arguing that the waters in question remain disputed territory pending proper delimitation under international law.
The Venezuelan Offshore Patrol vessel communicated with the FPSO Prosperity and other vessels in the Stabroek Block, asserting that they were operating in Venezuelan waters disputed with Guyana. Both nations are currently engaging in legal proceedings before the ICJ to address the validity of the Arbitral Award from October 3, 1899.
Guyana filed its case with the ICJ in March 2018, seeking a judicial ruling on the validity of the award that defines their land boundary. The ICJ has already confirmed its jurisdiction and will assess the matter based on the merits of the case.
In January, Guyana expressed its serious concern regarding the Venezuelan government’s recent statements and actions, which it considers clear violations of the Argyle Agreement and the ICJ’s binding orders, both of which were established in December 2023. The Argyle Agreement, signed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, mandates that both countries refrain from escalating conflicts arising from their territorial disputes until they are resolved according to international law.
In conclusion, France’s recent statement reflects a growing international concern regarding Venezuela’s actions in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The calls for respect for international law and territorial integrity by France and other nations underscore the urgency for diplomatic resolution. Venezuela’s dismissal of these concerns highlights the ongoing tensions and the complexities involved in the boundary dispute with Guyana, presently under the jurisdiction of the ICJ.
Original Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
