Guyana: UN mechanism becomes a cover for Venezuela

On July 13, the Guyana government affirmed that it is not interested in the United Nations mechanism to resolve territorial disputes with Venezuela, because Caracas has relied on this method to not definitively resolve the disagreement over sovereignty of the Esequibo Sea.

Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge. (Source: jamaicaobserver.com)

Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge said he had clearly informed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Guyana had seriously pursued the UN resolution mechanism, but it seemed that it would not get anywhere with this approach.

He also declined to comment on whether Guyana would accept the United Nations sending a representative to mediate between the country and Venezuela.

Foreign Minister Greenidge said the UN mechanism had become a front for Caracas and Guyana's sovereignty continued to be threatened, stating that the only solution was to take the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Guyana's response came just a day after Venezuela announced it would ask Ban Ki-moon to appoint a representative to mediate in a dispute over the sovereignty of the Esequibo Sea.

Relations between Venezuela and Guyana became tense when in early March, the US Exxon Mobil Corporation in a joint venture with Guyana began exploratory drilling at the Starbroek field in Esequibo.

At the end of May, Exxon Mobil announced the discovery of a large oil field in the exploratory drilling area./.

(According to VN+)