Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Support for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
6 March 2024
The Bahamas stands with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and expresses deep concern regarding the action taken on 3 April 2024, by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to promulgate “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba.” The promulgation of this new law by all appearances are in direct contravention of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Order issued on 1 December 2023:
“the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area.”
The Bahamas affirms that the ICJ process is the most appropriate means to address this dispute under international law. We are a region of peace, as articulated in the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, 14 December 2023, and we urge the Government and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to abide by the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter in the peaceful settlement of disputes.
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