The US has condemned attempts by President Nicolás Maduro to recognise a disputed part of Guyanese territory as Venezuela’s.
In a tweet on Sunday, Acting Assistant Secretary for US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak said: “The US supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ) 12/18 ruling that it has jurisdiction in the Guyana-Venezuela territorial border issue, which is the legal and peaceful way forward.”
“Maduro’s aggressive claims don’t change this, they only show the world his disregard for his neighbours and international law.”
Kozak’s comment followed an address by Guyanese President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, who also condemned the decree by Maduro on January 7.
“I remind that sovereignty over this coast, and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the [ICJ} will uphold unequivocally,” Ali stated.
Guyanese on Twitter thanked Kozak for his support.
@fracingA stated: “Thank you for supporting Guyana’s borders and her property, the Essequibo region of Guyana. Venezuela is a failed country that doesn’t need to expand its failure.”
@Iam_meera81 posted: “Guyana found oil so now (sic) Venezuela fighting for Essequibo. Y’all go to hell !!! Essequibo is Guyana own.”
Venezuelans reacted differently to Kozak’s tweet.
Gregor Varrone replied: “I’m not Maduro I’m against (sic) him I’m a normal citizen of Venezuela and I say the Essequibo is part of Venezuela.”
José Sánchez Inojosa commented: “In Venezuela, we can be in a political confrontation but the only issue where we are going to agree is the right to our sovereignty over the Essequibo territory and the United States should remain neutral in said conflict.”