Venezuela calls on Guyana to honor the 1966 Geneva Agreement and resolve the Essequibo territorial dispute through legal and peaceful negotiations, rejecting intimidation and external interference.

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The Venezuelan government has once again emphasized its historical and legal claim over the Essequibo region, urging Guyana to engage in sincere negotiations based on the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

In a statement issued on May 23, 2025, Caracas rejected accusations of intimidation and reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the territorial dispute through peaceful and lawful means, denouncing external interference from the United States Southern Command.

Defending Historical Rights Against External Interference

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry underscored that the claim to Essequibo is rooted in the legacy of Simón Bolívar and supported by historical documents. The statement firmly rejected recent declarations by Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, who accused Venezuela of threats and intimidation.

Instead, Caracas clarified that its approach is strictly legal and peaceful, warning that any deviation from the Geneva Agreement’s framework would lead to dead-end conflicts harming both nations.

The text reads: Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, in a speech today, stated that his country “will not be intimidated or threatened” by Venezuela. In response, I say:
Venezuela has never intimidated or threatened anyone, much less Guyana. What we are doing is defending our historical rights over Essequibo, a territory that belongs to us and whose backing is found in the history and documents of the Liberator Simón Bolívar.
Essequibo is Venezuelan, and we will assert this through legal and peaceful means.
Guyana must respect the 1966 Geneva Agreement, which obliges them to sit down and negotiate with Venezuela. Any other route is a dead-end adventure, with no satisfactory outcome for either party.

Venezuela, which has indeed received threats from the United States Southern Command—recklessly involved by Guyana in a matter that does not concern them—urges the Guyanese government to come to the negotiating table. One cannot speak of peace or legality while ignoring the only path agreed upon by the parties.

Analysts from Misión Verdad highlight how the Venezuelan position reflects a broader resistance against imperialist meddling in Latin America. They emphasize that the United States’ Southern Command’s involvement in the dispute attempts to destabilize regional sovereignty and deepen divisions, undermining efforts for peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

The Venezuelan government’s call to respect the 1966 Geneva Agreement stresses that dialogue and mutual understanding remain the sole viable paths to a just resolution. Caracas warns that ignoring this framework risks escalating tensions and perpetuating conflict, which benefits neither party.

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