On March 5, 2025, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves expressed concerns over ongoing tensions post-ICJ ruling regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Despite international calls for restraint, Venezuela rejected allegations of territorial violations by Guyana. The conflict stems from the historical Arbitral Award of 1899, with ongoing litigation initiated by Guyana in 2018.
On March 5, 2025, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines articulated concerns regarding potential ongoing tensions following the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He indicated that irrespective of the judgment, tensions are inevitable. Gonsalves, acting as an interlocutor under the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023, noted that the ICJ’s ruling could occur later this year or early next year.
Regarding the current situation, Gonsalves expressed uncertainty about the litigation’s progress but mentioned the ICJ’s previous hearings. He addressed the rising tensions linked to the Venezuelan naval presence near Guyana’s oil assets, which prompted responses from regional bodies including CARICOM, the United States, and the Organization of American States (OAS), admonishing Venezuela against further provocations.
In response to Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali’s accusations of territorial violations, Venezuela firmly rejected the claims. Caracas branded Ali’s statements as “baseless,” asserting that the contested waters do not belong to Guyana, as they are still under international law deliberation for delimitation.
The dispute centers on the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899. The ICJ is currently deliberating on this historical agreement, having previously confirmed its jurisdiction over the case. This litigation was initiated by Guyana in March 2018, seeking the court’s declaration on the validity of the 1899 Award, which delineated the boundary between the two nations, sparking ongoing conflict over the Essequibo region.
In summary, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves highlighted lingering tensions in the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute that will persist following the ICJ’s judgment. Despite warnings against escalation by international bodies, Venezuela refutes allegations made by Guyana regarding maritime violations. The ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Guyana in 2018 emphasize the complex nature of territorial claims involved in the Arbitral Award of 1899.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
