Mr. Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s government Agent, former Vice President, and Minister for Foreign Affairs before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has expressed optimism that a ruling on the longstanding border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela could be reached by next year. Mr. Greenidge cited the progress made in presenting the major substantive issues to the court as a reason for his projection.
During a recent webinar, Mr. Greenidge explained that Guyana submitted its final written reply to Venezuela’s counter-memorial in December 2024. Venezuela is expected to submit its rejoinder by August 2025. Once this is done, Greenidge anticipates that the process will move swiftly toward a decision, barring any follow-up questions from the panel of judges.
“A counter-memorial has been presented to the court; it has a lot of inaccuracies and fabrication. That’s for the court to decide, but from our viewpoint, our response is that it has a lot of inaccuracies and outrageous fabrications. So, the court will now hear Venezuela’s response to our presentation, which is to be presented by August,” Mr. Greenidge disclosed. “After that, the court may have a couple of questions to ask of the two parties, and then it will be in a position to make a decision.
“Now, in my view – and I’m sticking my neck out here – that process ought not to take us beyond 2026 if that far because the major issues have already been put on the table,” Mr. Greenidge said.
Focus on Substance Over Extraneous Issues
Mr. Greenidge highlighted that the ICJ is likely to focus solely on the substantive matter of whether the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the border between Guyana and Venezuela, is valid. He dismissed Venezuela’s attempts to introduce extraneous issues, such as Guyana’s relationship with the United States.
“It was referred to the ICJ, we lodged a complaint with the ICJ, and the ICJ is supposed to be looking at the substance of the issue, which is whether the 1899 award was valid or not. There is no other issue,” Mr. Greenidge stated.
He further criticized Venezuela’s arguments as fabrications intended to lay claim to Guyana’s territory unjustly. According to Mr. Greenidge, the court has already ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter, rejecting Venezuela’s objections.
“It is about a country fabricating the circumstances leading to a decision taken in 1899, denying that they had agreed to that decision; and the court has, so far, for example, confirmed that the matter was referred…and the court has the power to examine the matter,” he explained.
Next Steps in the Case
Ambassador Sasenarine Singh personally delivered Guyana’s response to Venezuela’s counter-memorial to the Registrar of the ICJ. Venezuela now has until August 8, 2025, to submit its rejoinder. Following this, the ICJ is expected to set a date for oral hearings between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed confidence in the strength of Guyana’s case. Venezuela’s challenge to the 1899 Arbitral Award has been argued to be without merit, and the ICJ expects to confirm the award as valid and binding.
Background on the Controversy
The border controversy dates to 2018 when United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres referred the matter to the ICJ after a good office process between the two nations failed. Guyana seeks a binding judgment affirming that the Essequibo region, which is rich in natural resources, belongs to Guyana, not Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who recently faced allegations of election fraud, continues to assert claims over Essequibo. In January, Maduro announced plans for elections for a Governor of Essequibo, drawing international criticism.