Topic: 2024-The Situation in Guyana
Country: Guyana
Delegate Name: Josh Machnacki
The Situation in Guyana involves Venezuela disputing Guyana’s claim to the Essequibo border region, which comprises over two thirds of Guyana’s landmass. In 1814, Dutch claims of Guyana were ceded through treaty to Great Britain, taking the form of British Guyana. Areas between British Guyana and neighboring Venezuela were left undefined by the 1814 treaty. Subsequently the land was explored and a border leaving territory to British Guyana was defined in 1835, this being disputed by Venezuela several years later in 1841. The situation then went unremedied until 1899, when the border was decided by an international Tribunal of Arbitration which gave Guyana control over the contested region. At the time, Venezuela agreed this arbitration would be final. With Guyana gaining independence from the British in 1966 an agreement on how to proceed was reached. The border stayed as it was, with a Mixed Commission consisting of representatives of Venezuela and Guyana put in place to try and reach an agreement. If an agreement was not reached, the treaty stipulates the situation be referred to an international organization agreed upon by both countries or the Secretary General of the United Nations. As of 2017, the Secretary General chose the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to a solution of the dispute. Venezuela chose not to take part in these proceedings and denies the ICJ has jurisdiction over the situation. Guyana supports this path to a solution but has no objection to additional collaborative discussion with Venezuela on the issue.
When oil was discovered in the Essequibo region, Venezuela blatantly disregarded previous settlements and, claiming the 1899 border was null and video due to alleged corruption, illegally annexed the territory. The 1966 treaty clearly states “No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty in those territories shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force.” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro directed oil extraction from Essequibo and provoked Guyana by brazen military movements near the border. Guyana views these actions as an external threat. Military conflict is viewed as regrettable by Guyana, but Guyana is readying military forces for the event that Venezuelan movement necessitates a response. Troop exercises in conjunction with the U.S. Southern Command are for the purpose of strengthening regional cooperation.
Guyana recognizes economic hardship experienced by Venezuela in the form of hyperinflation and sanctions. However, Guyana will not fall victim to Venezuelan desperation and allow more than two thirds of Guyana’s territory to be unjustly seized. There are other approaches Venezuela can take to better its economy than risking a military conflict that would undoubtedly harm both nations. Before the discovery of oil in the Essequibo region, agriculture was the backbone of Guyana’s economy with mining adding a significant revenue source. Oil has driven unprecedented growth for Guyana, helping to attract foreign investment and transforming Guyana into one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
The Situation in Guyana is at its root caused by Venezuelan deception and refusal to respect international law. Military provocation by Venezuela has disrupted peaceful discussion on the disputed region. Guyana prefers to settle the dispute cooperatively if at all possible but will defend its territory if necessary. Guyana is open to reaching an agreement with Venezuela that enables some level of oil revenue sharing to a small extent if Venezuela ceases hostilities and recognizes Guyana’s legal right to the Essequibo region. If Venezuela continues military aggression, Guyana calls for other nations to condemn Venezuela’s actions and use measures such as sanctions to protect Guyana’s sovereignty. Allowing Venezuela to illegally annex territory would provide a dangerous precedent to other outlaw nations seeking to commit similar crimes.
