THE US and UK Governments on Thursday sent clear messages of support for Guyana, amid Venezuela’s threat to annex the Essequibo region.

“Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with Guyanese president Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to reaffirm the US’ unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty,” said a statement, posted on the US Department of State website.

Blinken reiterated the US call for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, and for all parties to respect the 1899 arbitral award setting the Venezuela/Guyana border, unless/until the parties reach a new agreement or a competent legal body decides otherwise.

“Secretary Blinken and President Ali noted the International Court of Justice order issued on December 1, which called for parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute.

“The secretary reiterated that the US looks forward to working closely with Guyana once it assumes its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in January 2024. The two leaders concluded the call by agreeing upon the importance of maintaining a peaceful and democratic Western Hemisphere.”

The UK condemned Venezuela’s intended grab for Guyana’s Essequibo region, in a statement on Thursday by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

“The UK is concerned by the recent steps taken by Venezuela, with respect to the Essequibo region of Guyana.

“We believe this is unjustified and should cease. We are clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration.”

The UK was the former colonial power controlling Guyana which before its independence in 1966 was known as British Guiana.

UK High Commissioner to TT Harriet Cross told Newsday via WhatsApp on Thursday, “The UK is clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration and we continue to support this decision. We urge the parties to resolve this issue peacefully.”

The UK position was later elaborated by Foreign Secretary David Cameron, at a news conference with Blinken in Washington, DC, which focused mainly on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

[caption id="attachment_1048960" align="alignnone" width="1024"] David Cameron, UK Foreign Secretary -[/caption]

Cameron said the two men had discussed the Essequibo situation.

“These borders were settled in 1899. I see absolutely no case for unilateral action by Venezuela. It should cease. It is wrong.”

He said he was delighted by the earlier announcement by the US on the matter.

“I hope to be having some telephone calls later on with the President of Guyana and others in the region to try and make sure that this very retrograde step that has been taken does not lead any further.”

The US and UK pledges of support came after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday announced several steps to take control of the Essequibo, including declaring it part of Venezuela, naming a military governor, telling Venezuelan companies to take charge of oil exploration there, and promising a census of locals, to whom he promised Venezuelan ID cards.

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