-by NaAsia Bristol
Oral arguments before the world court wrapped up earlier today. Speaking before the world court, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, accused Guyana of abandoning the spirit of the 1966 Geneva Agreement after major oil discoveries in 2015 and pursuing what she described as an unlawful effort to validate the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Venezuela also repeated claims that the award was fraudulent and maintained that it never consented to the court’s jurisdiction. But Guyana’s legal team had already forcefully rejected those arguments during last week’s hearings.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall reminded the court that it had already ruled in 2020 that it has jurisdiction to hear the case and determine the validity of the 1899 award.
“Since the start of these proceedings, Venezuela has strained every sinew to avoid the court delivering a judgment on the merits of Guyana’s application. These tenuous efforts have even continued throughout this hearing on the merits,” he said.
Guyana also maintained that Venezuela itself recognized and respected the 1899 Arbitral Award for decades before later challenging it.
“Venezuela must withdraw from any part of Guyana’s territory as defined under the award, including the part of Ankoko Island that the award attributed to Guyana; refrain from asserting or purporting to exercise sovereignty over any part of Guyana’s territory and from taking any actions that violate Guyana’s sovereignty or territorial integrity as defined in the award,” said Agent of Guyana, Carl Greenidge.
Today’s presentation by Venezuela ended the oral arguments before the court and both parties will now await the date for the final judgment.