A high ranking Venezuelan official proposes to include Essequibo in the Constitution
– Powerful Commission discusses Venezuela’s next move with military leaders
– Venezuela to conduct military activity in Essequibo
– Reinforces the denial of ICJ jurisdiction in a border case
By Kemol King
Hermwmlan legislator and Chairman of the ‘Special Commission for the Protection of Guayana Esequiba Territory and Territorial Sovereignty,’ Mr. Hermann Escarrá. (Photo: El Carabobeño)
Kaieteur News – The National Assembly of Venezuela is expected to consider a proposal to include the Essequibo region, referred to as ‘Guayana Esequiba,’ in the country’s Constitution. The amendment, if made, would see the country declaring no dispute over the region, over which it claims sovereignty.
The proposal was made by the legislator, Hermann Escarrá, who, earlier this year, was appointed Chairman of the ‘Special Commission for the Protection of the Territory and Territorial Sovereignty of Guayana Esequiba.’ The powerful Venezuelan Commission was formed in January by one of several resolutions passed by the country’s National Assembly, following a decree by President Nicolas Maduro to fulfill his pledge to “conquer” the Essequibo.
The proposal would see the country amend articles 10 and 11 of the Venezuelan Constitution, says Escarrá, “to confirm that ours is Essequibo territory.”
The National Assembly said two other legislative proposals were being considered, one of which is called the ‘Sovereignty Law’ which Maduro himself is requesting.
Escarrá’s proposal for constitutional amendment is one of 100 motions and recommendations he made to the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 23, for the implementation of his Commission mandate for “protection of the Guayana Esequiba.”
A statement from the Venezuela National Assembly noted that Escarrá had emphasized the Commission’s discussions on the confidentiality of some of the proposals, which relate to Venezuela’s foreign policy. Escarrá said the Commission would meet the following day, Feb. 24, with the Military High Command, a group composed of the Minister of Defense and the Commanders of various Venezuelan military departments. The purpose of the meeting, he said, is to discuss the action to be taken regarding the territory of Essequibo.
The following day, the Assembly said the meeting took over four hours with discussions focusing on “potential geostrategic actions” to be taken “in defense” of the Essequibo region, at the country’s Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas.
“Fundamental issues such as the updated geostrategic and geopolitical interpretation of containment were discussed,” said Escarrá, “as well as the proposals of all components of the Bolivian National Armed Forces (FANB), which the commission will support in a very decisive decision. way. Not only in terms of the very current proposals in the Essequibo area, but also with what it is about the effort of national unity and national conscience that must be developed in the country… ”
“At the historic meeting, other issues were addressed, such as the presence of the US oil company ExxonMobil in the area, in addition to the possibility of speaking to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, to present your scenes directly. ”
The Venezuela National Assembly also said Escarrá announces “an activity to be conducted in Essequibo with the Bolivian National Armed Forces.” He did not disclose the nature of the intended activity.
The Venezuelan National Assembly said a document would be prepared and sent to the Parliaments of Guyana, England and the Netherlands in the few days following the Feb. 24 meeting of Military Command. Neither Guyana’s Parliament nor its Government has issued any such correspondence.
On February 26, Venezuela announced that it was responding to an invitation by the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to attend a virtual meeting on the preliminary ruling on December 18 that the Court had the jurisdiction to settle the dispute over the territory. The Venezuelan Government said it affirmed its participation as a courtesy, not as a party to the procedure, and reaffirmed Venezuela’s position that it does not recognize the Court’s jurisdiction to settle this issue. He prefers direct discussions with Guyana.
“Venezuela reiterated that this case has no jurisdictional basis given that it has never given its consent,” said the Venezuela Information Administration.
The Ministry also reported that it denies “undue initiation and intervention” in the debate, of transnational energy “over such a vast territory rich in biological diversity and natural resources, which threatens planetary life, peace and regional security.”