(Commonwealth)_ The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, has strongly echoed concerns raised by Dr Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, following a provocative incident involving a Venezuelan coast guard vessel. On 1 March 2025, a Venezuelan coast guard vessel entered the maritime waters of Guyana, a territory that Guyana legally administers, and approached assets lawfully operating in that area. The Venezuelan vessel then broadcasted a radio message, claiming it was within “disputed international waters,” although it was within Guyana’s recognized territorial waters.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General strongly condemned this action in response. She urged the international community, along with the members of the Commonwealth, to continue providing support to Guyana in the face of this challenge. The Secretary-General lauded Guyana’s response to the incident, praising the country for its measured and responsible handling of the situation. Guyana, instead of reacting with aggression, engaged in diplomatic measures to address the crisis peacefully, showing restraint and a commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue.
This latest action by Venezuela stands in stark contradiction to the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, a diplomatic agreement signed by both Guyana and Venezuela on 14 December 2023. The declaration emphasized the importance of resolving the territorial dispute through international law and diplomatic means while avoiding any actions that would escalate the conflict. This agreement had already outlined a framework for addressing such disputes, focusing on dialogue and peaceful negotiation rather than provocative actions like the one witnessed on 1 March 2025.
The Secretary-General reiterated the importance of adhering to international law, particularly the unanimous Order on Provisional Measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 1 December 2023. The ICJ order instructed Venezuela to refrain from actions that would alter the current status of the territory in dispute, a territory that Guyana continues to administer and exercise control over. By entering the waters of Guyana, Venezuela’s actions were in clear violation of the ICJ’s provisional order, which underscores the significance of international legal mechanisms in resolving such disputes.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia, Samoa, in October 2024, leaders of the Commonwealth reiterated their unwavering support for the ICJ and its role in resolving the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. They reaffirmed their commitment to the preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the issue must be resolved through a binding legal judgment from the ICJ. The Secretary-General referenced the leaders’ statement as a critical moment in the ongoing support for Guyana, highlighting the importance of diplomatic and legal solutions in addressing the territorial dispute.
The Secretary-General also called on Venezuela to respect the principles of international law and to cease any actions that threaten the peace and stability of the Caribbean region. Such actions, she warned, have the potential to destabilize the region and undermine efforts for peaceful resolution. She echoed President Ali’s call for the respect and honoring of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which remains a cornerstone of Guyana’s stance in this ongoing issue.
In her remarks, the Secretary-General referenced her prior statements made on 6 April 2024, 1 November 2023, and 1 December 2023, all of which consistently expressed the Commonwealth’s unequivocal support for Guyana. She also referred to the Outcome Statement from the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG) issued on 3 September 2024, which further reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s firm position on the issue and its backing for Guyana’s rightful claim over the disputed territory.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Caribbean region and urged all parties, particularly Venezuela, to engage in diplomatic processes and adhere to international legal rulings. She emphasized that the Commonwealth stands united in its commitment to Guyana, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute in line with the principles of international law.
