00:00Mr. President, distinguished members of the Court, all those present at this hearing,
00:09I come before this Court to bring you the voice of a people who deeply cherish justice, peace, and international
00:19law.
00:21The people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
00:26On the 3rd of December, 2023, our people turned out in large numbers at the polls
00:33and gave us a series of clear and unequivocal mandates.
00:39Allow me to highlight the following.
00:42Firstly, the mandate to maintain the historical position of not submitting existential matters
00:50such as independence and territorial integrity to judicial mechanisms.
00:56Secondly, the mandate to uphold the Geneva Agreement as a legal instrument
01:03for resolving the territorial dispute over Guayana Ezequiva.
01:09Thirdly, to defend by all peaceful means, in line with international law,
01:17the territory of Guayana Ezequiva, true to these mandates this afternoon.
01:23Mr. President, members of the Court, Venezuela's historical position of not submitting matters
01:31related to its vital interests to judicial dispute resolution mechanisms
01:37is not an act of defiance nor of disregard of the Court as an institution.
01:47Venezuela is a fervent promoter and defender of international law.
01:52Feel welcome.
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