President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged Venezuela to respect the forthcoming ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the border controversy, one day after Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez renewed Caracas’ claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region at the United Nations.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on today, Dr. Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to resolving the controversy through international law, noting that hearings before the ICJ concluded in May.
“We urge Venezuela to abide by the forthcoming ruling, in accordance with their obligation under the UN Charter, as Guyana will do,” he said.
His remarks came after Rodríguez used her UN address to call on Guyana to return to bilateral negotiations under the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
“Agreements which last the longest are those that emerge from bilateral negotiations,” Rodríguez said, maintaining Venezuela’s opposition to having the controversy settled by the ICJ.
Rodríguez also wore a pin depicting Essequibo as part of Venezuela.
Guyana maintains that the 1899 Arbitral Award established the boundary between the two countries and has asked the ICJ to confirm that the award remains valid and binding.
Venezuela previously challenged the ICJ’s jurisdiction, but the court ruled in 2020 that it could hear the case. The ICJ has also issued provisional measures directing Venezuela not to take actions that would alter the situation in Essequibo, which Guyana administers and controls.
President Ali said Guyana hopes the eventual resolution will pave the way for improved relations.
“We look forward to a new era of neighbourly relations in the interests of our peoples, the development of our countries, and the stability and prosperity of our region,” he added.
A final ruling is anticipated between November 2026 and January 2027.
Pres. Ali urges Venezuela to accept forthcoming ICJ ruling, looks to ‘new era’ in relations
