"International Court of Justice Rejects Venezuela's Objections in Guyana Border Case: A Final Resolution in Sight"

 Guyana has welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to reject objections raised by Venezuela in the border case, which would now see the court moving forward with a final and binding determination of the international land boundary between the two countries. The ruling was handed down by Judge Joan E. Donoghue at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Geneva Agreement outlines specific roles for Guyana and Venezuela, and its provisions do not provide a role for the United Kingdom in choosing or participating in the way issues related to the border between Guyana and Venezuela are settled. It therefore followed that Venezuela’s exclusive engagement with Guyana in the ‘Good Offices’ Process indicates that there was an agreement between the two countries that the United Kingdom had no role in the dispute settlement process.

The ICJ said that the two countries have shown that the dispute could be settled without the involvement of the United Kingdom. As a result, the Court concluded that the United Kingdom also accepted that the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela could be settled by one of the means set out in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter, and that it would have no role in the proceeding. The Court rejects Venezuela’s position for the involvement of the United Kingdom.

Delivering Guyana's position, President, Dr Irfaan Ali said that Guyana remains confident the court will confirm the standing boundary with Venezuela, underscoring that Guyana remains committed to a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law. President Ali thanked Guyana's legal team, its agent, and all stakeholders, especially Guyanese citizens, as the matter before the international court continues.

Guyana brought the matter to the ICJ in an application submitted on March 28, 2018. The court, in December 2020, confirmed its jurisdiction over the case, rejecting Venezuela's objections. The Court will move forward with the substantive case.

That's it for now. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.