Venezuela Casts Doubt on ICJ Process After Guyana's Claims on Esequibo Dispute

Venezuela's government has voiced "founded doubts" regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings concerning its territorial dispute with Guyana over the Esequibo region. These doubts arose after Guyana asserted that the court would affirm the validity of the 1899 arbitral award.

"It is highly noteworthy that Guyanese authorities dare to magically take for granted the content of a future decision by the International Court of Justice," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry stated in a Telegram release. Caracas views this stance as a "clear disregard" for international law and confirmation of its "founded doubts" about the current ICJ process. Venezuela reiterated that it has never consented to submitting the Esequibo territorial controversy to the court's jurisdiction.

Caracas insists the dispute can and must be resolved under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, advocating for a "practical, satisfactory, and mutually acceptable arrangement." Furthermore, Venezuela declared it will not recognize any ICJ decision, regardless of its outcome. This statement follows remarks by Guyana's Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, who claimed the ICJ would rule in favor of the 1899 award's validity after eight years of proceedings. Phillips also emphasized that the court's ruling would be legally binding for both nations under the UN Charter and the ICJ Statute.

The legal battle dates back to March 2018, when Guyana filed a claim with the ICJ seeking a declaration on the "legal validity and binding effect" of the 1899 award and the finality of the border delimitation. Venezuela declared the award null and void in 1962, citing alleged irregularities. Georgetown, however, invoked the 1966 Geneva Agreement, signed by Venezuela and the United Kingdom, as the basis for the court's jurisdiction and a means to resolve the dispute. Oral hearings concluded on May 11, with both countries presenting their arguments, leaving the court's deliberations and final judgment pending.