Essequibo belongs completely to Guyana – Pres Ali reaffirms sovereignty

…extends hand of friendship to Venezuelans

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday reaffirmed Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo region, declaring that the territory “is Guyana’s” as the country observed its 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations at Fort Island in Essequibo.

Addressing thousands gathered for the national flag-raising ceremony, the President said Guyana remains firm in its defence of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the ongoing judicial process before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the border controversy with Venezuela. “The Essequibo is Guyana’s. It has never been Venezuelan,” President Ali stated during his address.

The Head of State said Guyana continues to stand by the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, while expressing confidence in the ICJ process. President Ali also thanked international partners, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth of Nations and the United States (US), for supporting Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Despite the ongoing territorial controversy, the President said Guyana holds no hostility toward the people of Venezuela.

“The Venezuelan people are our neighbours,” he said, adding that many Venezuelans also desire peace. He further stated that Guyana remains open to peaceful relations with Venezuela once the matter is resolved. The President reflected on the country’s history since achieving independence in 1966, noting that Guyana faced economic and social challenges at the time, alongside the territorial claim from Venezuela. “Even before the ink dried on our independence, a neighbour rose to challenge our very existence,” he said.

According to President Ali, the controversy affected Guyana’s development and national confidence for decades, but the country never surrendered its sovereignty or identity. He described Essequibo as central to Guyana’s national heritage and said hosting the anniversary observance in the region carried significant meaning. The anniversary was celebrated under the theme “Homecoming.”

Historic moment

Meanwhile, President Ali also announced that Guyana is expected to achieve a major milestone in healthcare today with the performance of the country’s first robotic cardiac surgery. The procedure, which will involve collaboration between medical teams in Guyana and India, is expected to be conducted remotely using robotic technology. According to the President, the operation will also represent the longest-distance robotic surgery ever undertaken.

“Tomorrow morning [today] we will formally set our footprints in the history of health care,” President Ali said during the ceremony. The President said the development is part of Guyana’s efforts to expand advanced healthcare services and technological innovation within t