“We will continue to defend our integrity, sovereignty, independence and our history,” said Rodriguez, who took over as president in January after the overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces.
The television did not provide a broader context for these words, but the US president, after removing Maduro from power, repeatedly alluded and joked about the possible annexation of Venezuela. Earlier, he also spoke in a similar way about Canada.
Rodriguez was speaking at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where proceedings are underway over the border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Esequibo region. Rich oil deposits have been discovered off the coast of this region, controlled by Guyana, in recent years, and Venezuela claims it.
Guyana asked the ICJ to confirm the arbitration decision from the end of the 19th century, which is the basis for the region's membership in this country. Venezuela emphasizes that it does not recognize the Court's jurisdiction in this case.
