Career diplomat, Dr. Riyad Insanally, sees Guyana’s recent election to sit on the United Nations Security Council, for the period 2024-2025, as a helpful addition to the repertoire of avenues that can be tapped by the government in its quest to protect itself from Venezuela’s advances for its territory.
“Given the UN Secretary General’s decision to refer the controversy to the [International Court of Justice] and the fact that the matter is still sub judice, it is highly unlikely that the Security Council would place the issue on its agenda,” Dr. Insanally said in a recent OilNOW Op-Ed. “In any case, the June 6th election of Guyana to the Security Council in 2024-2025 would ensure that Guyana is well positioned to counter any move by Venezuela at that level.”
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was also reserved in commenting on whether the issue will need to be raised at that level. “These are matters that would be premature [to say],” he stated during a recent media conference.
Guyana’s growing prominence as an oil producer is enabling it to play a more leading role in regional and global affairs.
Venezuela wants to take control of two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, called the Essequibo region. Guyana hopes that the case at the ICJ will bring an end to the controversy.
