G7 Strongly Condemns Venezuela’s Naval Threats Against Guyana
The G7 has condemned Venezuela’s naval threats against Guyana, deeming them violations of sovereignty. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed support for Guyana, particularly regarding the recent incursion. Tensions have escalated as Venezuela plans elections for Guyana’s Essequibo region, which Guyana contests as an illegal annexation attempt. Furthermore, the G7 calls for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela amidst ongoing political crises.
The G7 nations, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union, have condemned Venezuela for its naval incursions into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). They characterized these acts as “unacceptable” and in violation of Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereign rights. This declaration followed a meeting held in Quebec, Canada, where the foreign ministers reiterated their support for Guyana.
In their joint statement, the G7 ministers specifically highlighted an incident on March 1, involving a Venezuelan naval vessel entering Guyana’s waters close to ExxonMobil’s oil production site in the Stabroek Block. They emphasized, “Venezuelan naval vessels threatening Guyana’s commercial vessels is unacceptable and an infringement of Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereign rights,” reaffirming the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity among nations.
Recent months have seen heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, particularly following Venezuela’s announcement of plans to conduct elections on May 25, 2025, for a governor of the Essequibo region, which constitutes a significant portion of Guyana’s territory. Guyana has deemed this election as an illegal act of annexation and is pursuing intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent any actions that would affect Essequibo.
Additionally, the G7 has condemned Venezuela’s political situation, advocating for the restoration of democracy, the release of political prisoners, and an end to the repression faced by peaceful protesters after the controversial elections held on July 28, 2024. As Guyana fortifies its diplomatic and legal responses, stakeholders both regionally and internationally remain vigilant regarding Venezuela’s actions. The ICJ is currently addressing the long-standing border dispute which may significantly influence the direction of this territorial controversy.
The G7’s unified stance against Venezuela’s naval incursions reinforces international support for Guyana’s sovereignty. As tensions escalate between the nations, particularly regarding the Essequibo region, Guyana seeks legal recourse through the ICJ. Simultaneously, the G7 emphasizes the necessity for democratic restoration in Venezuela. The outcomes of these developments could profoundly impact geopolitical relations in South America.
Original Source: www.caribbeannationalweekly.com
