Though participating, Venezuela continues to reject ICJ’s authority in border case with Guyana

Venezuela has told the United Nations’ top court that it does not recognise its authority in the ongoing border controversy with Guyana over the resource-rich Essequibo region, as hearings continue in The Hague.

During oral arguments on Wednesday, Venezuelan representative Samuel Moncada informed judges that his country does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), maintaining a long-standing position that the dispute should not be settled by the court.

The case centres on a vast territory of about 160,000 square kilometres west of the Essequibo River, an area largely covered by rainforest but also believed to hold significant offshore oil and gas reserves.

Guyana brought the matter before the ICJ in 2018, seeking a final ruling to affirm the validity of an 1899 arbitral award that established the boundary between Venezuela and what was then British Guiana.

However, Venezuela has rejected that ruling, arguing it was flawed and imposed during the colonial era. Its representatives told the court the issue should instead be resolved through direct negotiations between the two countries.

Earlier this week, Guyana argued that Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region—amounting to more than two-thirds of its territory—poses a serious threat to its sovereignty and development.

The ICJ, which adjudicates disputes between states, is expected to take several months before delivering a final judgment. While its rulings are legally binding, enforcement depends on the United Nations Security Council.

The case represents a critical moment in the decades-old controversy between the neighbouring South American nations, particularly as global attention grows over the region’s vast natural resource potential. [Extracted and modified from Reuters]