
The Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, has appealed to Venezuela to halt its planned elections concerning the Essequibo region, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling set for May 1, 2025. This call comes amid escalating tensions over Venezuela’s claims to the resource-rich Essequibo territory, which constitutes nearly two-thirds of Guyana’s land area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Canadian government reiterated its unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly backing the ICJ’s authority in the ongoing border dispute. Sigouin stated, “The International Court of Justice is involved with the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. Canada reiterates its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and urges Venezuela to respect the ICJ’s directions from May 1, 2025.” He notably stressed that Venezuela must refrain from conducting elections in the disputed Essequibo region.
This statement was made just one day prior to Venezuela’s planned controversial election to appoint a Governor for Esequibo, an act that would contradict the ICJ’s provisional measures. Guyana has welcomed the growing international support and concern over Venezuela’s intentions as the matter continues to be addressed by the ICJ, the primary judicial body of the United Nations.
Source: guyanachronicle.com