In a television program, the MP of the National Assembly (Parliament) expressed the need for a regulation law for the part of the country disputed with Guyana.
“We must make a law regarding the Essequibo, but by force,” he said.
He believes that Venezuela’s positioning in the educational, cultural and investment order, in identification, in the evaluation of resources and in the relationship with companies that do not like legal uncertainty is essential.
Escarrá stressed that in Venezuela’s foreign policy “there is no other issue of greater importance” than that of the Essequibo, because “in a way the fate of the country is at stake”.
The South American nation supports the proposal for direct dialogue, as set out in the Geneva Accords – under the principles of international law – with the aim of resolving this territorial dispute, although Guiana’s steps are in the opposite direction, he estimated.
The MP insisted that Venezuela could lead the legal debate in the International Court of Justice, the Security Council or the United Nations General Assembly, “but positioning in the country is crucial”.
Regarding the proposal tabled in Parliament, he pointed out that a warning had been submitted for scrutiny, which was approved unanimously but did not have much effect, so he believed it should be “sanctioned”.
Escarrá questioned how US companies Exxon Mobil and Chevron “will have legal certainty” there when it comes to a claim area where they extract minerals from Venezuela.
He stressed that this area of more than 160,000 square kilometers has important mineral resources that Guiana is giving away to transnational corporations in violation of the provisions of the Geneva Convention.
On October 12, the National Assembly unanimously approved a treaty rejecting the 1899 Paris award and considered the Geneva treaty the only legal document to resolve the historic dispute.
He also dismissed the interventionist actions of US Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols in his support of Guyana and his disregard for international law.
Parliament confirmed President Nicolás Maduro’s defense of foreign policy on the Essequibo Reserve as Venezuelan territory.
rgh/jcd