Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has warned of ongoing tensions following the ICJ’s judgment on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He noted uncertainty about the litigation’s status and highlighted a recent incident involving a Venezuelan naval vessel near Guyana’s oil assets that intensified international scrutiny. The ICJ’s ruling on the long-standing dispute remains forthcoming, with implications for regional stability.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines expressed concerns regarding the escalating tensions that may continue after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its judgment on the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He emphasized, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions,” highlighting the likelihood of ongoing conflicts regardless of the court’s ruling.
As an interlocutor based on the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023, Gonsalves noted that the ICJ is expected to announce its decision later this year or early next. He acknowledged his limited knowledge of the litigation’s progress but remarked, “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m not too up-to-speed on the progress of the litigation,” recognizing the time required for the court to formulate its judgment after previous hearings.
Recently, Guyana alerted CARICOM and the international community about a Venezuelan naval vessel’s presence near its oil assets, which raised alarms as it lingered near the area for several hours. This incident resulted in several entities, including the United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS), urging Venezuela to refrain from further provocations against ExxonMobil’s operations.
Venezuela, however, has refuted the remarks made by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, claiming its naval presence did not violate Guyanese maritime territory. Caracas accused Ali of “lying brazenly” about the situation, asserting that the waters in question are part of a maritime zone pending delimitation under international law.
The border dispute centers on the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which was upheld by the ICJ, confirming its jurisdiction over the matter. Guyana filed the case in March 2018, seeking the court’s ruling on the validity of the award, which established the land boundary. The ICJ has indicated that it will address the issues based on the merits of the case, amidst concerns about Venezuela’s actions in the Essequibo region, a territory rich in resources.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves articulated the potential for continued tensions following the ICJ’s upcoming ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Despite being an interlocutor in the matter, he admitted limited knowledge of the ongoing litigation. The conflict escalated with a recent Venezuelan naval vessel’s presence near Guyana’s oil assets, prompting international calls for restraint. As the ICJ prepares to make a ruling on the dispute’s legitimacy, the situation remains tenuous, with both nations maintaining steadfast positions.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
