Commonwealth offers support to Guyana ahead of referendum

Patricia Scotland

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland KC yesterday pledged support for Guyana ahead of tomorrow’s referendum in Venezuela which she fears will challenge the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In a statement, she said that the Commonwealth noted yesterday’s decision of the ICJ  regarding the border controversy between the two countries.

She noted that the court had said that Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action, which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the Essequibo pending a final decision in the case before the court.