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Navigating the Guyana-Venezuela Controversy: UWI Panel discusses the Argyle Declaration

For Release Upon Receipt - April 16, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, April 16, 2024 - Amid rising tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, experts gathered for a webinar titled "The Guyana-Venezuela Controversy: The Argyle Declaration, Implications for International Law and the Caribbean" to explore the complexities of the ongoing dispute. Hosted by the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus on February 22nd, 2024, in collaboration with the Caribbean Policy Consortium (CPC) and the Faculty of Law, the event examined the implications for international law and regional stability.

 Panellists included representatives from the CPC, IIR,  Faculty of Law at The UWI St. Augustine, Adrienne Arsht Latin American Centre, Centre for Strategic and International Studies,  Government of Guyana and The University of Miami, The discussion began with opening and welcome remarks from Dr. Annita Montoute, Acting Director of the IIR, highlighting the session's goal of exploring the international law and diplomatic dimensions of the Guyana-Venezuela controversy and contributing new perspectives to the discourse.

 Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Fellow with the CPC and Senior Associate of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies initiated the discussion by underscoring the significance of the Argyle Declaration– an agreement arrived at by the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela not to resort to force to settle a territorial dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region. While acknowledging the successes of the Argyle Declaration in the triumph of diplomacy it showcased and the de-escalating of a potential armed conflict, he also pointed out, areas where it fell short, such as its inability to reverse Venezuela's provocative actions.

 In this regard, Mr. Carl Greenidge, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana questioned the efficacy of dialogue in resolving the dispute. He provided insights into the conflicting objectives inherent in the Argyle Declaration, particularly in light of Venezuela's history of demanding the overthrow of international agreements. As such, while recognising that the Declaration may have averted immediate conflict, he cautioned against overestimating its long-term effectiveness in resolving the matter.

 Similarly, Dr. Riyad Insanally, Fellow with the CPC and non-resident Senior Fellow with the Adrienne Arsht Latin American Centre expressed some scepticism about the effectiveness of the Declaration, suggesting that more preparatory diplomatic work should have preceded the Argyle meeting to ensure a more substantive outcome. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the diplomatic achievement of de-escalating tensions between both parties, emphasizing the importance of dialogue at the highest level.

 Professor Anthony Bryan, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the CPC and Professor Emeritus of the University of Miami delved into strategic motivations behind Venezuela's claim to Guyana's Essequibo territory as well as the potential impact on regional energy projects like the Dragon Gas agreement. He posited that while the joint production of gas in the Dragon offshore field may not be immediately affected, given Trinidad and Tobago's exemption from US sanctions to engage in a commercial arrangement with Venezuela, broader implications loom with the US decision not to renew General License 44, which provides relief to Venezuela's oil and gas sector. Looking ahead, he suggested that the Guyana-Venezuela controversy could serve as an opportunity for transformative change in regional energy dynamics, pointing to collaborative energy agreements among Caribbean countries as a potential pathway to energy security and economic development. 

 Dr. Elias-Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Law, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus examined the international law implications of the dispute, shedding light on the historical treaties and legal frameworks involved. Despite some limitations of the International Court of Justice, she expressed confidence in the court's ability to provide a final and binding resolution to the dispute, highlighting the importance of adhering to established legal processes.

 During the question-and-answer segment, panellists addressed concerns regarding Venezuela's military threat and its historical ambitions for regional control, emphasizing the need for regional unity to safeguard against external pressures and uphold sovereignty.

 The webinar provided a comprehensive analysis of the Guyana-Venezuela controversy, contributing significantly to informed dialogue and scholarly discourse on this pressing regional issue.

 For more information on the Institute of International Relations, visit: https://sta.uwi.edu/iir/

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