President Irfaan Ali has formally written to CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, raising “grave concern” over the public display of a map by Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez that depicts Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela.
In the April 28, 2026 correspondence, Ali said the display occurred during official engagements in member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), warning that the use of regional platforms to project a territorial claim risks being interpreted as “acquiescence or tolerance.”
Recent reports indicate that Rodríguez made official visits to several CARICOM countries, including Grenada earlier in April and Barbados on April 26–27, where she engaged regional leaders while displaying imagery asserting Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region.
“Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners,” the President stated, but added that it is “deeply regrettable” such engagements were accompanied by symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyanese territory.
Ali stressed that CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the “context and conduct of official engagements,” particularly as the controversy is currently before the International Court of Justice.
The Guyanese Head of State described the map display as a “calculated and provocative assertion” of a claim Guyana has consistently rejected, noting that Venezuela cannot seek to normalize its position through symbols, legislation, or official actions while the matter is under judicial consideration.
The long-running border controversy centers on the resource-rich Essequibo region, which Guyana says was definitively settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award. Venezuela revived its claim decades later and has recently taken steps that Guyana argues are inconsistent with international law, including moves to annex the territory and appoint officials.
Ali also referenced the ICJ’s December 1, 2023 order, which directed Venezuela not to take actions that would alter the status quo in the disputed territory, where Guyana exercises administration and control, and urged both parties to avoid measures that could aggravate the dispute.
Writing in his capacity as CARICOM Chair, Drew was urged to maintain vigilance in safeguarding the Community’s established position, which supports Guyana’s sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of the controversy through the court process.
Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to international law and the judicial settlement of the dispute, while calling on all states, including Venezuela, to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and avoid provocation as proceedings continue before the court.