United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament John Anderson is calling for immediate sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who, in defiance of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Dec. 1, is moving forward with actions that could change the border status quo with neighbouring Guyana.
“The people of Venezuela voted to support this in a referendum, but they will ultimately suffer the consequences,” Anderson warned. He stressed the potential for regional instability and the direct challenge to Guyana’s sovereignty, a fellow Commonwealth member.
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The ICJ ruling includes measures that mandate Venezuela to refrain from actions that would compromise Guyana’s administration and control of the Essequibo territory. In blatant disregard for this ruling, Maduro unveiled a revised map of his nation, incorporating the Essequibo region, following a referendum held on Dec. 1. Along with this, he issued directives for the formation of fresh administrative bodies responsible for issuing licenses for oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the Essequibo area. Furthermore, he put forth a proposal for enacting legislation aimed at establishing designated environmentally protected zones, potentially serving as hubs for tourism and preserving biodiversity.
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Anderson noted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call with Guyana President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during which the U.S. official reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty.
The UK MP raised suspicions about external influences potentially exacerbating the situation. “Without in any way knowing for certain, but understanding the relationship between Russia and Venezuela, it would come as no surprise if the dark arts of the Kremlin were lurking somewhere in the background as an anti-Western distraction,” Anderson stated. He wondered whether this was a potential geopolitical maneuver to destabilize the region and distract from internal issues within Venezuela.
Russia has said it is paying close attention to the recent developments surrounding Essequibo and that it is committed to the principle that Latin America should remain a zone of peace. It has not called out the Maduro regime, a close ally, for its unprovoked aggression towards Guyana and defiance of the ICJ ruling.
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The U.K MP believes sanctions against Maduro and other key Venezuelan leaders involved in raising tensions with Guyana should be forthcoming. “I call today for immediate sanctions to be applied on Maduro and the lead general engineering this,” he declared, seeking to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
In addition to sanctions, Anderson proposed diplomatic initiatives to lower tensions. He suggested that the UK should coordinate with regional organizations like the South American Common Market (commonly abbreviated Mercosur) and the Organization of American States (OAS), and work with international allies, including France. He highlighted the importance of diplomacy over military intervention, noting the potential roles of Brazil and Chile in supporting Guyana if necessary.
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Anderson’s call for sanctions and international collaboration represents a significant UK stance on the escalating tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.
Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is set to meet with Maduro today, in a meeting called by the Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, to de-escalate tensions between Guyana and Venezuela.
