UN Security Council concerned about “possible escalation” of Guyana-Venezuela tensions

Last Updated on Monday, 15 April 2024, 19:19 by Writer

The 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is concerned about the possible escalation of tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.

The Council met on April 11 at the request of Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali amid heightened moves by Venezuela. They included the approval of a law that effectively sets the basis for Venezuela to seize Guyana’s Essequibo Region.

Following is the Security Council’s statement in full:

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern about the possible escalation of tensions between Venezuela and Guyana. They urged the parties to exercise maximum restraint, reminding them of their obligations to comply with the Order of Provisional Measures issued by the International Court of Justice on 1 December 2023.

The Council also underlined the importance of maintaining regional peace and security and ensuring that the Latin America and Caribbean region remains a Zone of Peace. In this regard, it commended regional efforts which resulted in the conclusion of the Declaration of Peace and Dialogue of Argyle of 14 December 2023 in which Guyana and Venezuela, inter alia, agreed that any controversy between the two states will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966.

The members of the Security Council urged the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to uphold their obligations under international law and the United Nations Charter. They also stressed the importance of regional actors playing a facilitating role in easing the tensions.