International outcry from countries and multilateral organisations follows Venezuelan incursion into Guyanese waters
A Venezuelan military vessel’s approach to floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels working in Guyana’s prolific Starbroek offshore block has been met with condemnation from governments and institutions around the world.
In a radio exchange recording that was published online, the Venezuelan military patrol vessel could be heard giving the ExxonMobil FPSOLiza Destiny, a ’warning’ that “You are operating in the exclusive economic zone of Venezuela”.
Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali said the armed vessel was identified as a coast guard patrol ship and approached “various assets in our exclusive waters, including FPSO Prosperity,” another FPSO owned by ExxonMobil Guyana.
During a nationally televised address, President Ali said, “Let me be unequivocal: Guyana’s maritime boundaries are recognised under international law, and this is a matter of grave concern.”
President Ali launched a diplomatic response to the incursion and told his country the government “will continue to engage with our international partners to ensure Guyana’s sovereignty and rights under international law are upheld… I can assure you our international partners stand resolute and ready in support of Guyana and in ensuring our sovereignty and territorial integrity is respected”.
International condemnation of the Venezuelan military vessel’s encroachment into Guyanese waters came quickly.
The US State Department’s Western Hemisphere Bureau issued a statement, saying “Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally recognised maritime territory. Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime. The United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy followed suit, saying “Venezuela violated Guyana’s maritime territory in a provocative act. The UK is steadfast in its support for Guyana’s internationally recognised territorial integrity and urges Venezuela to refrain from such actions.
The Caribbean Community of States, the Organisation of American States and the Commonwealth countries all voiced their support of Guyana, and President Ali said he was pursuing the matter with the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
Guyana and Venezuela’s battle for control of a separate 160,000-km2 area called Essequibo is the subject of an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice.
President Ali said, “Guyana remains committed to peace and the rule of law. We will continue to pusure diplomatic solutions, but we will not tolerate threats to our territorial sovereigty.”
