Venezuelan Congress approves law for the defense of Essequibo
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Tumeremo, a city in Bolivar, will serve as the new state's temporary capital until Venezuela "reaches a practical and mutually acceptable solution with Guyana."
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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Guyana's President Irfaan Ali during a meeting in March 2024 (AFP)
On Thursday, the National Assembly (AN) unanimously approved the Law for the Defense of the Guayana Esequiba, the disputed territory between Venezuela and Guyana.
The law creates the state of "Guayana Esequiba," which borders Guyana to the east and will be ruled by a governor appointed through elections. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will appoint an authority for the area.
On December 15, Guyana and Venezuela agreed to avert the use of force and threats to settle the disputed Essequibo territory to resolve matters of conflict within international law, such as the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
Published by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the statement said, "Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States."
Tumeremo, a city in Bolivar, will serve as the new state's temporary capital until Venezuela "reaches a practical and mutually acceptable solution with Guyana."
The National Assembly also ruled that elected politicians in the Guayana Esequiba region could not be citizens who have engaged in actions that directly or indirectly encourage or support Guyana's stance at the expense of Venezuela's rights to the Essequibo.
Venezuela celebra de pie y con su dignidad histórica incólume la aprobación, por la @Asamblea_Ven, del Proyecto de Ley para la Defensa de la Guayana Esequiba. Los venezolanos y las venezolanas nunca renunciaremos a nuestros legítimos derechos sobre el territorio de la Guayana… pic.twitter.com/UhiYMkt6NA
— Delcy Rodríguez (@delcyrodriguezv) March 21, 2024
The legislation imposes a punishment of up to US$108,611 on individuals who produce or distribute maps of Venezuela that do not include the Essequibo as an important component of its territory.
It also imposes fines of up to $10,823 on people who refuse to give the Venezuelan government with information deemed vital for the protection of the Guayana Esequiba.
The statute, which consists of 22 articles, deems the Paris Arbitration Award null and void, a document used by Guyana to justify its takeover of the Essequibo.
The standard will now be referred to the Supreme Court for a ruling on its legitimacy, according to AN President Jorge Rodriguez.
Legislator Diosdado Cabello remarked that the assembly "vindicates our people's right to defend our territory," congratulating those who backed the historical claim to the Essequibo and rejecting the US and Exxon Mobil's attempts to deprive Venezuela of its legacy.
#INVIDEO | National Assembly approves draft organic law for the territorial defense of Guayana Esequiba pic.twitter.com/ZIblSyHck0
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) March 22, 2024
