Guyana has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule that Venezuela holds no legitimate claim over the Esequibo region, a disputed, resource-rich territory spanning around 160,000 sq km.
The hearings in The Hague come amid a long-running border dispute dating back to colonial-era arbitration in 1899, which Guyana says confirms its sovereignty.
Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd told judges that Venezuela’s claim poses a threat to national security and development, describing it as “unlawful”.
“Facing a larger and more powerful neighbour’s designs on our territory has not only threatened our peace and security, it has held back our development,” Guyana’s Foreign Minister told judges at the start of week-long hearings at the ICJ, also known as the World Court.
Key developments:
- Guyana asks ICJ to uphold the 1899 arbitration ruling in its favour
- Guyana’s Foreign Minister said Venezuela’s “unlawful” claim applies to more than 70% of Guyana’s territory.
- Venezuela disputes jurisdiction and maintains territorial claim over Esequibo
- Region is rich in oil, gas, gold, and other natural resources
- Venezuela will have a chance to set out its case on Wednesday (6 May).
Guyana first brought the case to the ICJ in 2018, seeking confirmation of the colonial-era ruling. Venezuela, however, rejected the court’s jurisdiction in a 2023 referendum in which voters also supported the creation of a new state in the Esequibo region, later formally declared by Caracas in 2024.
A final ICJ judgment is expected in the coming months and will be legally binding, though enforcement depends on the UN Security Council.
ℹ️ Reuters
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