Through a statement, the Venezuelan Government rejects that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana tries to ignore what was agreed in the Geneva Agreement, which establishes “the legally binding obligations assumed” over the territories of Guyana Essequiba.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the statement issued by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, within the framework of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement of 1966,” says the text published by Foreign Minister Yván Gil on his Telegram channel.
In this sense, Venezuela highlights that “in its statement, Guyana continues with its desperate and irresponsible attempt to distort and ignore the legally binding obligations assumed with the signing of the Geneva Agreement.”
Likewise, in the text issued by the Bolivarian Government, it is emphasized that in 2023 a consultative referendum was held, where the majority of the people expressed their position in defense of the territory of Guayana Esequiba.
“On December 3, 2023, the Venezuelan people, through a referendum, overwhelmingly supported the Geneva Agreement as the only way to achieve a practical and satisfactory solution to the territorial controversy and ratified the historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to settle said controversy,” the letter reads.
Likewise, the statement points out that “the only possible solution to the territorial controversy, within the framework of International Law, is found in the Geneva Agreement. “Sooner or later, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will have to come to the negotiating table to reach the practical and mutually acceptable arrangement mandated by this legally binding international treaty.”
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela claims its historical rights over Guayana Esequiba and ratifies that it will never renounce the territory that has belonged to it since its birth,” the text concludes.
Below is the full text of the statement:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the statement issued by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, within the framework of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
In its statement, Guyana continues its desperate and irresponsible attempt to distort and ignore the legally binding obligations assumed with the signing of the Geneva Agreement, according to which the territorial dispute over Guyana Essequiba must be resolved through a practical and mutually acceptable settlement between the parties.
On December 3, 2023, the Venezuelan people, through a referendum, overwhelmingly supported the Geneva Agreement as the only way to achieve a practical and satisfactory solution to the territorial controversy and ratified the historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to settle said controversy.
Therefore, faithful to its historical position and the popular mandate, Venezuela reiterates that it will not recognize any decision emanating from the International Court of Justice on the territorial controversy surrounding Guayana Esequiba. Guyana’s unilateral action before said body is an open violation of the Geneva Agreement, whose obligations are incompatible and exclusive with respect to a judicial resolution.
The only possible solution to the territorial controversy, within the framework of International Law, is found in the Geneva Agreement. Sooner or later, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will have to come to the negotiating table to reach the practical and mutually acceptable arrangement mandated by this legally binding international treaty.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela claims its historical rights over Guayana Esequiba and ratifies that it will never renounce the territory that has belonged to it since its birth.
The sun of Venezuela is born in Essequibo!
Caracas, February 18, 2026.
