National Assembly of Venezuela debates annexation law for Essequibo, territory in dispute with Guyana

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Madurolaunched this Tuesday an action plan on Essequiboterritory in dispute with Guyana, which includes the granting of licenses for oil exploration and military deployments in locations close to the disputed area, without announcing, at this time, an incursion into the disputed area. “Guyana must know that we solved this problem by chance or we did,” said the president – applauded by ministers, soldiers, mayors and governors -, after announcing nine decisions that mark the new directions of Caracas in the process with Georgetown over the almost 160 thousand square kilometers of Essequibo.

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The event, which was also attended by diplomats and opponents, took place two days after the unilateral referendum in which citizens, encouraged by the Executive, They approved the annexation of the disputed area, over which Venezuela has not exercised control since 1899.

LOOK: Maduro proposes law to implement the annexation of Essequibo, an area disputed with Guyana

Defense and oil

He President ordered the creation of a military division to serve the area in question, without announcing any armed incursion into the territory, as he ordered the Armed Forces to install themselves in a nearby city, but not on the border, with the Essequiboat least “provisionally”.

This, he announced, will change when the Chavismo-controlled Parliament approves the law annexing this territory.which could happen soon, as deputies will begin debating the issue this Wednesday.

Maduro also asked lawmakers to establish a rule that prohibits the hiring of companies “that operate or collaborate in concessions” granted by Guyana in the sea that Venezuela considers “pending delimitation”.and suggested giving these companies a period of three months to abandon their jobs, mainly related to hydrocarbons.

LOOK: Essequibo: Maduro creates military division for area disputed with Guyana, without incursion into the area

At the same time, he asked the state oil company PDVSA to “immediately” begin “granting operating licenses for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas and mines” at the Guyana Essequibathe name of the state they intend to create in the disputed area.

Although the order was issued with immediate effect, the leader He did not estimate how long it would take to complete the first concessionwhat would it mean, if it occurred, the first action of Venezuela in the area since the 19th century.

Identity and environment

Maduro’s resolutions also included the publication of a new national map, which will be distributed in all State institutions, as well as in educational centers, where the so-called “claim zone” ceases to be so, only for Venezuela, and becomes the state of Guyana Esequiba, stripping Guyana of two thirds of its geography.

LOOK: Venezuela will begin giving nationality to inhabitants of Essequibo, disputed with Guyana

Then, Venezuelathat with the annexation intended would exceed one million square kilometers, plans to start giving nationality to the 125,000 people living in Essequibo, mainly indigenous communities, who were not consulted on Caracas’ decisions nor had the opportunity to decide on their future.

It is -according to the head of state- “the immediate activation of a human and social assistance plan” for this population who hope to submit to a censusof which there are no details, and begin to hand over Venezuelan identity cards.

Furthermore, The country will open an office of the Identification, Migration and Immigration Service (Saime) in the mining town of TumeremoVenezuelan territory, “to direct all these identity efforts”.

Mature He also proposed to Parliament the creation of a law that decrees “special protection areas” and the formation of “new protected parks that are a tourist center”.

According to him, this territory – rich in minerals – was “dismembered” by Guyanawhich is why he “deserves a special plan for his recovery”, although he did not provide details in this regard.

The fight

He chavista leader assumed responsibility for the announced actions, including the creation of a “high commission for the defense of Guyana Essequiba” to hear “all voices” in the country, including universities and religious sectors, to find out their points of view on the dispute, which also does not include taking into account the position of the Essequibanes.

After appointing a general as the sole authority for the territory, over which he will “provisionally” govern from outside, he reiterated that he wants peace with Guyana.

The controversy over this territory dates back to the 19th century, but since 2018 it has gained strength following the admission of the case by International Court of Justice (ICJ), who asked Venezuela does not complete actions that alter the current dynamics in the area administered by Guyana.

Although, Maduro rejects ICJ mediation in this mattera claim that was also reinforced by the referendum, in which Venezuelans agreed not to recognize the jurisdiction of the international court that, in any case, will issue a decision binding on the two nations in the coming months.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.