Venezuela to attend ICJ hearings on Esequibo dispute, but won't recognize jurisdiction

Venezuela is taking a firm stand on the international stage, asserting its rightful claim to the Guayana Esequiba territory. While participating in the upcoming International Court of Justice hearings on May 4, the government has made it unequivocally clear that this attendance does not signify recognition of the court's jurisdiction or its potential decisions. This stance, communicated through a statement by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, underscores Venezuela's commitment to its historical rights.

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Venezuela acude a estas audiencias sólo para mostrar ante el mundo la verdad sobre los derechos que desde su nacimiento le corresponden sobre el territorio de la Guayana Esequiba

The core of Venezuela's position rests on the 1966 Geneva Agreement, which the nation considers the sole valid legal instrument for resolving the territorial controversy. The government emphasizes that this treaty provides the framework for a mutually acceptable, practical, and satisfactory solution. Any attempt to impose a resolution outside of this framework, particularly one based on the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award which Venezuela deems null and void, will be rejected.

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no implica, en modo alguno, su consentimiento ni el reconocimiento a dicha jurisdicción

Guyana's decision to bring the case before the ICJ in 2018, seeking validation of the 1899 award, is viewed by Venezuela as a unilateral action that bypasses the spirit of the Geneva Agreement. The nation's unwavering resolve to never renounce its claim to the Esequibo, a territory rich in resources and spanning approximately 160,000 square kilometers, remains paramount. This is not merely a legal dispute; it is a matter of national sovereignty and historical justice for Venezuela.

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incoado unilateralmente