Caracas, November 29, 2023 (Mincomunas Press) – The Minister of Communes and Social Movements, Jorge Arreaza, emphasized this Wednesday that the consultative referendum called for next Sunday has the primary objective of reaffirming the country’s historic position on the territorial dispute over the Essequibo and to bring Venezuela’s version before the world.
During a videoconference organized by ALBA Movements, Arreaza underlined that this vote essentially aimed to return to the Geneva Agreement, thus supporting Venezuela’s position against the concessions the Guyanese administration granted to ExxonMobil.
These concessions allow oil exploitation in non-delimited maritime areas, including regions Venezuela claims as its own. The Minister emphasized the disregard of the 1899 Arbitral Award and raised the Geneva Agreement as a basis for resuming negotiations with Guyana.
Likewise, he reaffirmed the position of the Venezuelan Government regarding the rejection of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
On the other hand, he pointed out that the December 3 referendum contemplates the proposal for the creation of a state, the state of Guayana Esequiba, within the map of Venezuela, with the granting of Venezuelan citizenship to the residents of that region.
“The spirit that Venezuelans go out to vote, to ratify the historic position of Venezuela, this Sunday, December 3, in these five questions”, he expressed.
For his part, Carlos Ron, president of the Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples, supported the Venezuelan position, arguing that this referendum is a means to seek a peaceful and friendly solution.
However, due to the lack of agreement on the part of Guyana, the country finds it necessary to move forward in defending its sovereignty.
Ron emphasized Venezuela’s intention to avoid any armed confrontation, stressing that the resolution of the territorial conflict lies in dialogue.
He emphasized the desire that the voice of the Venezuelan people, through this referendum, be heard at the international level, that Venezuela’s version is known. He reiterated the intention to stop ExxonMobil’s actions in waters not duly delimited and are part of Venezuelan territory.
