𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢́𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐳 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐳𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐚’𝐬 “𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞” 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐛𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐈𝐂𝐉 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Venezuela’s interim Head of State, Delcy Rodríguez, has forcefully reaffirmed Caracas’ claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region, declaring that Venezuela’s “rights” to the territory are “historical and irrefutable,” even as the matter remains before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking Tuesday in Caracas at a Pilgrimage Against Sanctions event, Rodríguez dismissed criticism surrounding a brooch she wore during recent visits to Barbados and Grenada, which appeared to depict Essequibo as part of Venezuela.

“That is the only map I have known my entire life,” she said, questioning whether Venezuela’s history books should now be “burned” in response to objections raised by Guyanese authorities.

Rodríguez insisted that Venezuela would soon present its case again before the ICJ, grounding its position in what she described as “international legality” and the 1966 Geneva Agreement. “There’s no way we’re going to allow a dispossession or legitimize a theft,” she stated.

Her remarks signal a renewed hardening of Venezuela’s posture on the decades-old border controversy, even as her administration has recently adopted a more conciliatory tone toward the United States following the January 2025 ousting of Nicolás Maduro.

Ali Condemns “Provocative Symbolism”

President Irfaan Ali, in a formal communication to CARICOM Chairman Dr. Terrence Drew, sharply criticised Rodríguez’s use of the disputed map during official regional engagements.

He warned that such displays risk creating the perception of regional acquiescence to Venezuela’s claim and undermine the integrity of CARICOM platforms.

“This is not a matter of symbolism alone,” Ali wrote. “It is a calculated and provocative assertion of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected, and which is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.”

Ali stressed that with the case actively before the ICJ, Venezuela should refrain from actions that attempt to “normalise” its claim through unofficial symbols, maps, or public displays.

He further called on all states to respect international law and avoid conduct that could inflame tensions or prejudice the judicial process.

Caracas Pushes Back

Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yván Gil dismissed Ali’s concerns as “unusual” and accused the Guyanese leader of political theatrics.

“Is he going to ban maps, history books, or any symbols he is uncomfortable with?” Gil wrote on social media, defending the brooch as a representation of Venezuela’s historical narrative.

He characterized Guyana’s objections as “noise” and “drama,” asserting that Venezuela’s territorial claim remains unchanged. “Venezuela’s sun rises in the Essequibo,” he declared.

A Dispute Rooted in History

The controversy over the Essequibo region—comprising roughly two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass—dates back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, which definitively established the boundary between Venezuela and then-British Guiana.

Venezuela has long rejected that ruling as invalid, reviving its claim in the 1960s as Guyana approached independence. The 1966 Geneva Agreement established a framework for resolving the controversy, but no settlement has been reached.

Tensions escalated in 2023 when then-President Maduro unveiled a new Venezuelan map incorporating Essequibo and appointed a governor for the territory, drawing widespread international condemnation.

The dispute is now before the ICJ, where Guyana seeks final confirmation of the 1899 boundary.

Regional and International Stakes

The controversy has intensified amid growing geopolitical pressure in the region, including increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and warnings against any Venezuelan attempt to assert its claim by force.

Rodríguez’s latest statements suggest that despite recent diplomatic recalibrations, Caracas is unwilling to soften its position on Essequibo—keeping the territorial dispute at the forefront of regional tensions.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 592 𝙂𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣-𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 , 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮,𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙂𝙪𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨.— ✦