Government welcomes ICJ ruling as “great victory” for all Guyana

"We have always stood together, we have always recognized together and demonstrated to the international community together that we are one and united not only on our sovereignty and borders. Today, this victory is no small victory. This victory is testimony to what we can achieve when we are united", the President said.

Government welcomes ICJ ruling as “great victory” for all Guyana

President Irfaan Ali joined members of his cabinet and officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry this morning to view the ruling by the ICJ on jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case against Venezuela.

President Ali welcomed the ruling by the Court that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter as a great victory for all Guyana.

“We have always stood together, we have always recognized together and demonstrated to the international community together that we are one and united not only on our sovereignty and borders. Today, this victory is no small victory. This victory is testimony to what we can achieve when we are united”, the President said.

Mr. Ali said when it comes to Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, there is no compromise.

The President was loud in praise for Guyana’s legal team and the technical officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their work on the matter. He is convinced that Guyana will get a final judgement in its favour reinforcing the 1899 Arbitral award.

According to the President, “the Court’s decision means that international law can be brought to bear to ensure that Guyana’s patrimony is preserved. The law of nations can be allowed to prevail in the face of efforts that point in other directions. As a result of today’s ruling, the Court will now proceed to hear the merits of the case”.

President Ali said Guyana will remain united as the case progresses before the International Court.

The matter was taken before the International Court back in 2018 under the David Granger administration.

Guyana has been pressing to rid itself of Venezuela’s claims to its land for decades, with the matter finding its way to the United Nations on several occasions. With the Court establishing its jurisdiction, all of its decisions will be binding on Guyana and Venezuela.

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