…President urges Venezuela to do the same
(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday that Guyana will abide by the International Court of Justice ruling on the border controversy with Venezuela and urged the Bolivarian Republic to do the same.
Ali made this statement hours after Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez in her address to the assembly spoke of country’s desire to return to the negotiation table rather than rely on the court’s decision.
President Irfaan Ali
In his address, President Ali noted that Guyana has always advanced the peaceful settlement of the controversy. “Despite the historical truth – clearly outlined in the Arbitral Award of 1899 that determined the full, perfect and final settlement of our border with Venezuela, we endured long and repeated provocations and aggression. The matter was referred to the International Court of Justice by the Secretary General, acting pursuant to the Geneva Agreement, and the Court twice pronounced on its jurisdiction to hear the matter,” Ali told the UNGA.
Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodriguez
He stressed that the recourse to the ICJ came after decades of efforts to resolve the controversy bilaterally, including through a mixed commission and the Good Offices of the UN Secretary General. The Head-of-State said in full respect for international law, Guyana participated and encouraged Venezuela to participate in the proceedings of the ICJ.
“Now that we have both participated in the hearings which were completed in May 2026, we urge Venezuela to abide by the forthcoming ruling in accordance with their obligation under the UN Charter, as Guyana will do. We look forward to a new era of neighbourly relations in the interest of our peoples, the development of our countries and the stability and prosperity of our region,” he said.
On Wednesday, Rodriguez spoke to world leaders at the UNGA while wearing a brooch that includes the Essequibo region as part of Venezuela’s map. She said: “Here, I appeal to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to resolve the issue and to return to negotiations, as stipulated by the Geneva Agreement. Agreements which last the longest are those that emerge from bilateral negotiations. They last longer and function better than those imposed by external bodies”
Guyana remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity as it awaits the final judgment of the ICJ in the border controversy with Venezuela. Guyana’s submissions before the world court have now been fully completed, with oral hearings concluding on 11th May, leaving only the Court’s deliberations and final ruling. While no date has yet been announced, the Court generally takes between six and eight months after oral hearings conclude to issue a judgment, placing a likely ruling between November 2026 and January 2027.
Source: Kaieteur News
