Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Venezuela remains complex and deeply concerning.

On 3 December, a referendum in Venezuela asked five questions regarding the area of Essequibo, which is part of the territory of neighbouring Guyana. Although the referendum was passed, independent observers have suggested that turnout was very low.

Venezuela has a long-standing territorial claim on Essequibo. This claim is currently before the International Court of Justice, which is the appropriate forum within which a definitive resolution can be found to this issue. I encourage all sides to engage in good faith with the ICJ process.

I have not had any recent direct engagement with the Ambassador of Venezuela to Ireland, who is based in London. The Ambassador attended this year’s National Day of Commemoration events in Cork and Dublin in July and September 2023.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana, H.E. Hugh Todd, wrote to me on 9 October to brief on Guyana’s position with regard to Essequibo. In my response to the Minister, I outlined my position that the ICJ process is the appropriate forum within which to address the matter.

My Department will continue to monitor developments in the period ahead, together with EU partners, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Brasília, which is accredited to Guyana, and other Irish missions in the region.

The Embassy of Guyana in London is accredited to Ireland. Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean has seen increased engagement with Guyana across political, economic and values-based objectives. Ireland also engages with Guyana as an Observer State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which is based in Georgetown, Guyana, and through our partnership with Small Island Developing States.