Guyana’s team that represented the country at the International Court of Justice in the border case against Venezuela is confident that Guyana will succeed and the Court will rule in its favour.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlal, who was part of the battery of lawyers that presented Guyana’s case before the Court last week, said Guyana’s arguments were factual and grounded in evidence.

“We anticipate that the ruling will be handed down by or before January, 2027. From all indications, our legal team is very confident that we will succeed. Our arguments were far superior in law, well supported by legal authorities as well as documentary evidence and historical facts when compared to that of Venezuela”, Mr. Nandlall said on his weekly “Issues in the News” show on Tuesday.

The Attorney General said the completion of the oral hearings in the case has brought the curtains down on a crucial stage of the proceedings in the International Court. He said the efforts of all of those who were involved in the matter must be acknowledged.

The case was taken to the International Court under the previous APNU+AFC Government in 2018 on the advice of the United Nations Secretary General, as the UN Good Offices process did not bear fruit, although it had been taking place for several years.

Mr. Nandlall was pleased that the matter is nearing its completion at the International Court. He said the statements made by the Acting Venezuelan President, Delcy Rodrigues, at the Court were unfortunate.

In her submission to the Court, Rodrigues made it clear that the Court’s ruling will not bring an end to the controversy and also restated Venezuela’s position that it does not believe the Court has any jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter.

Attorney General Nandlall reminded that over the years, Guyana has had to deal with a lot when it comes to Venezuela and its claim of Guyana’s Essequibo.

“We have to deal with the other side that was unprepared to submit to the jurisdiction to the Court. We had to deal with acts of provocation and aggression throughout, we had to deal with legislation being passed to take over Essequibo, to administer the affairs of Essequibo, we had to deal with a referendum to disengage from the Court and to refuse to recognise the jurisdiction of the Court, and many other. We had to deal with physical intrusion into our EEZ and repeated injuries to Guyanese, including our soldiers. These were not normal circumstances to over come, to remain cam, to keep the international regional security on your side, while at the same time maintain a strong front. And not once did President Ali or the Government of Guyana waiver from our position of principle”, he said.

Guyana wants the Court to confirm, in a final and binding judgment, the full legal validity of the arbitral award that established the international boundary between Guyana and Venezuela more than a century ago.

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