The Government of Guyana has addressed a recent call from China’s Embassy in Georgetown for Guyana and Venezuela to resolve their decades-old border controversy in a friendly manner.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation rejects the statements made on April 16, 2025, by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of China that Guyana and Venezuela ‘can resolve their border controversy through friendly consultations and negotiations’,” the government said in a statement issued today (April 17).
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The Ministry has restated that “the matter is pending before the International Court of Justice by decision of the United Nations Secretary General, in accordance with the parties’ 1966 Geneva Agreement on settlement of the controversy.”
Referencing the Argyle Declaration of December 14, 2023, the Ministry said Guyana will not engage in discussion of any matter that has been brought before the Court. The Argyle Declaration recognizes “Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy.”
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China has been silent on Venezuela’s plan to hold elections in Essequibo next month, a point noted by the government.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has taken note that there has been no comment from the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the blatant announcement by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela that it intends to conduct elections on 25 May 2025 for a governor and legislative council of “Guayana Esequiba State”, which is the name Venezuela has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region.” The Ministry said this move is a clear violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It noted that the principles of international law and mutual respect will continue to guide the actions of the Government of Guyana in its interactions with all member states of the international community.
