CARICOM has issued a statement on a planned referendum by Venezuela which includes the matter of the Essequibo territory.

The regional body says two questions in the referendum, if answered in the affirmative, would authorize Venezuela’s government to embark on the annexation of the territory, which constitutes part of Guyana, and create a state within Venezuela known as Guyana Essequibo.

Among the language of the two questions are the words “by all means” and CARICOM says, “It is open to reasonable persons to conclude that “by all means”, includes means of force or war.”

CARICOM says international law strictly prohibits the government of one State from unilaterally seizing, annexing or incorporating the territory of another state.

The organization hopes that Venezuela is not raising the prospect of using force or military means to get its way in this matter.