Venezuela signs law to approve annexation of disputed region

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s move to sign into law the results of a recent referendum laying claim to two-thirds of Guyana triggered fierce condemnation Thursday from the neighboring South American country’s government.

The text of the law was not immediately made public. Even so, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs vowed not to yield any land to Venezuela and called the move targeting Guyana’s western Essequibo region an “egregious violation of the most fundamental principles of international law.”

In early December, Maduro held a referendum to claim sovereignty over the oil- and mineral-rich region that represents two-thirds of Guyana, arguing it was stolen when the border was drawn more than a century ago. On Wednesday, Maduro held a signing ceremony recalling the referendum as a “stellar and historic moment.”

“The decision of December 3, has now become the Law of the Republic, to form part of the legal structure of the internal political and institutional movement of our country,” Maduro tweeted on Wednesday. “The decision made by the Venezuelans in the consultative referendum will be fulfilled in all its parts, and with this Law, we will continue the defense of Venezuela on international stages.”

Guyana’s government responded sharply hours later: “If Venezuela wants to contest title to the territory in question, the proper forum is the International Court of Justice.”

It’s not clear how Venezuelan authorities intend to implement the idea of exercising jurisdiction over Essequibo.