Gonsalves Foresees Continued Tensions Ahead of ICJ Ruling on Guyana-Venezuela Dispute

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent warns of persistent tensions after the ICJ judgment on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. The ICJ is expected to rule later this year or early next year, following concerns raised by Guyana about Venezuelan naval activity near its oil assets. Venezuela has dismissed Guyana’s claims regarding maritime territorial rights, complicating the situation further.

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has indicated that tensions will persist following the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) forthcoming judgment related to the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He stated, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions.” Gonsalves, acting as an interlocutor in light of the Argyle Agreement from December 2023, anticipates the court’s decision may be delivered within the current year or early next year.

Gonsalves acknowledged uncertainty regarding the progress of the litigation, noting that the ICJ requires time to deliberate and produce its judgment after conducting hearings. He commented on the ongoing tensions highlighted by Guyana’s recent notification to CARICOM and the broader international community concerning a Venezuelan naval ship’s presence near Guyana’s oil assets.

In response to these tensions, multiple international entities, including the United States, France, and CARICOM, have urged Venezuela to refrain from further provocations against Guyana, especially regarding ExxonMobil’s assets. Venezuela has, however, dismissed claims from Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, labeling them as baseless and asserting that the disputed waters do not lie within Guyanese territory pending proper maritime delimitation.

The ICJ is currently addressing the case concerning the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which outlines the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The court has reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the matter and is preparing to issue a ruling on the case’s merits, particularly focusing on Venezuela’s attempts to assert rights over the Essequibo region, a territory rich in resources and vital to Guyana’s demographics.

The situation between Guyana and Venezuela remains tense as both nations await the International Court of Justice’s ruling on their historical border dispute. Despite the impending judgment, Prime Minister Gonsalves predicts ongoing tensions regardless of the outcome, highlighting the complexities surrounding this geopolitical issue. Moreover, international pressure on Venezuela to avoid provocations signifies the global interest in this regional conflict.

Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com