US backs Guyana in border controversy with Venezuela

The United States of America (USA) has called on all parties to respect the 1899 Arbitral Award which had determined the boundaries of Guyana and Venezuela.

The significant announcement was made Friday evening by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Guyana, Terry Steers-Gonzalez who said US Ambassador Perry Holloway played an integral role in making the US Government adopt this position.

“Ambassador Holloway actually logged this win before he even arrived here in September 2015, while he waited in Washington for confirmation by the US Senate,” Steers-Gonzalez stated.

He explained that previously, the USA had simply supported the timely resolution of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

But now, the US Government has made it clear who it stands in solidarity with, and that is Guyana.
The border controversy arose after Venezuela contented that the Arbitral Award of 1899 which settled the country’s border was null and void.

Guyana is adamant that the 1899 Tribunal provided “a full, perfect and final settlement” but Venezuela denounced the Arbitral Award in 1962 at the Decolonisation Committee of the UN General Assembly as British Guiana sought Independence.

The controversy has since been referred to the International Court of Justice for a final resolution.
The controversy rose its head again soon after US oil major, ExxonMobil announced huge oil find offshore in the Stabroek Block.