St. Vincent PM Ralph Gonsalves cautioned that tensions will persist post-ICJ ruling in the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. The ICJ is expected to deliver its judgment later this year or early next year. Recent provocations from Venezuela near Guyana’s oil assets have heightened concerns among international entities. The dispute has historical roots stemming from an 1899 award, which is currently under review by the ICJ.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has indicated that tensions will persist after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its judgment regarding the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He stated, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions.” Gonsalves is acting as an interlocutor in the negotiations, stemming from the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023, and noted that the ICJ’s ruling could be expected later this year or early next year.
During his weekly radio program, Gonsalves expressed uncertainty regarding the progress of the litigation, acknowledging that the ICJ requires time to formulate its judgment after having conducted hearings. In recent developments, Guyana reported that a Venezuelan naval vessel was observed near its oil assets, raising alarms within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community.
The United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS) have called on Venezuela to refrain from further provocations, particularly concerning ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. In response, Venezuela vehemently rejected Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali’s assertions, labeling them as “baseless” and accusing him of dishonesty regarding infringements on maritime territory.
The ongoing dispute centers on the Arbitral Award from October 3, 1899, with the ICJ cautioning against Venezuela’s potential annexation of the Essequibo region. This oil-rich area represents two-thirds of Guyana’s land and houses around 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens. Guyana initiated legal proceedings with the court in March 2018 to validate the Arbitral Award which delineated the territorial boundary, and the ICJ has confirmed its jurisdiction, preparing to rule on the merits of the case.
In conclusion, tensions between Guyana and Venezuela are expected to continue despite an impending ruling from the ICJ on their border dispute. Prime Minister Gonsalves has pointed out the inevitability of tensions, highlighting the complex geopolitical implications following the court’s decision on the validity of the historical boundary agreement. Both nations are under increasing scrutiny from international bodies, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolution.
Original Source: suntci.com
