Canada yesterday voiced concern over Venezuela’s claim on Thursday to the area adjacent to Guyana’s Essequibo Coast.
In a statement, Ottawa said “Venezuela’s recent claim that it has sovereignty over the area adjacent to Guyana’s Essequibo coast is concerning. The decision is in the hands of the International Court of Justice and this judicial process must be respected”.
The United States on Sunday also weighed in on the matter. It declared support for the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that it has jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case for a juridical settlement of the long-running border controversy with Venezuela.
The US statement came amid belligerent declarations on Thursday by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro against the ICJ ruling in December last year and the issuing of a decree by Caracas purporting to annex the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River.
Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak tweeted: “The U.S. supports the ICJ’s 12/18 ruling that it has jurisdiction in the Guyana-Venezuela territorial border issue, which is the legal and peaceful way forward. Maduro’s aggressive claims don’t change this, they only show the world his disregard for his neighbors and intl. law”.
Meanwhile, in a statement on the US embassy Facebook page on Sunday, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch said “The United States has long called for a legal peaceful resolution to Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela and we reiterate that call today”.
Maduro’s actions and bellicose statements drew a sharp response on Saturday from President Irfaan Ali.
In an address to the nation, Ali said Maduro’s statements amounted to a “legal nullity”.
