President Dr Irfaan Ali has said Guyana is prepared for any possible response from Venezuela when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its ruling on the decades-old dispute over the Essequibo region. While Ali noted that Venezuela’s recent public rhetoric over the territory has become significantly less confrontational, he stressed that Georgetown remains cautious ahead of the court’s decision.
Speaking to Al Jazeera in Doha, President Ali said the change in tone followed the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the emergence of Delcy Rodríguez as a leading figure in Caracas amid heightened pressure from the United States. He said the reduction in aggressive statements was encouraging, but Guyana remained fully aware of Venezuela’s position regarding the international proceedings.
Ali pointed out that Venezuela has participated in the ICJ case despite continuing to dispute Guyana’s claims. He said Guyana is confident that the court will reach its decision based on established legal principles and the evidence presented during the proceedings.
The Essequibo dispute centres on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. Guyana maintains that the award legally settled the border more than a century ago, while Venezuela has consistently argued that the decision was invalid.
The ICJ ruled in December 2020 that it had jurisdiction to consider the dispute. The court determined that it could examine the validity of the 1899 award and establish the legal boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, paving the way for the case to proceed to its merits.
The two countries presented their arguments during oral hearings at the ICJ in May. Guyana’s legal team has expressed confidence following the hearings, with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall saying Georgetown has strong grounds to expect the court to uphold the 1899 award.
President Ali has also highlighted the wider importance of maintaining stability in the Western Hemisphere. He stressed that the United States remains an important partner for Guyana and rejected suggestions that Washington’s engagement with Venezuela had weakened its support for Georgetown.
The political upheaval surrounding Nicolás Maduro has added further uncertainty to an already sensitive regional dispute. Maduro was arrested following a major US operation and subsequently appeared before a federal court in New York, where he pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related offences.
For Guyana, the upcoming ICJ judgment could represent a historic moment in its relationship with Venezuela. A ruling confirming the 1899 boundary would strengthen Guyana’s legal position over Essequibo, while a different outcome could significantly alter the regional geopolitical landscape.
As the court deliberates, Guyana is preparing for the consequences of the final judgment while hoping that a legally binding decision will provide clarity over the border dispute. President Ali’s comments underline Georgetown’s determination to defend its territorial position while keeping the door open for greater regional stability and diplomatic engagement.