Venezuela Rejects Guyana Claims, Reiterates Esequibo Defense

Venezuela categorically rejected recent provocative statements made by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali during his nation’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations. Venezuela reaffirmed its unwavering defense of historical rights over the Guayana Esequibo territory, asserting it will never renounce its legitimate claim, underscoring that the 1966 Geneva Agreement remains the sole valid and current legal instrument to achieve a practical, satisfactory, and mutually acceptable solution for both nations through direct bilateral negotiations.

Colonial Legacy

Venezuela firmly condemned President Irfaan Ali’s unsubstantiated assertions that the Guayana Esequibo territory exclusively belongs to Guyana and was never under Spanish or Venezuelan sovereignty. These declarations, made on May 27, during the anniversary of Guyana’s independence, were deemed a deliberate falsification of historical and legal truth by the Venezuelan Government. In response to these claims, FM Yván Gil emphasized that the Bolivarian Government remains committed to seeking a just and peaceful resolution through direct diplomatic channels. He highlighted that the territorial dispute is a direct consequence of British colonialism, a legacy that continues to impact the sovereignty of the entire region. In this sense, Gil underscored that the dispossession of Esequibo constitutes an inheritance of the British Empire’s imperial practices, from which Guyana eventually gained its independence.

Authorities in Caracas have consistently urged the Guyanese Government to honor its international obligations by engaging in face-to-face, good-faith negotiations. Such a peaceful resolution must fully respect the principle of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the entire region.

Venezuela’s firm stance reflects its commitment to decolonization and the pursuit of justice regarding a territory it considers historically its own, highlighting the consequences of colonialism and advocating for peaceful resolution through dialogue and respect for international agreements.