The Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, has made another an appeal to Guyana to return to the negotiation table with the border controversy, although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to rule on the controversy between the two countries.

Guyana has repeatedly stated that the matter is properly before the International Court.

Addressing world leaders at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York last evening, Rodriguez sought to reaffirm Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region while seeking new talks with Guyana on the controversy.

“Here I appeal to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to resolve the issue and to return to negotiations as stipulated by the Geneva Agreement. Agreements, which last the longest, are those which emerge in bilateral negotiations. They last longer and function better than those imposed by external bodies,” the Interim President said. 

While wearing a brooch that included Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela, Rodriguez made no mention of the border controversy being before the International Court of Justice.

Guyana initiated legal proceedings at the ICJ in 2018 with the intention of bringing an end to the controversy.

Though, Venezuela has challenged the Court’s jurisdiction to resolve the controversy on the grounds that the 1966 Geneva Agreement does not provide for the judicial settlement, the Court has long found that it has jurisdiction to preside over the matter. Guyana maintains that the 1899 Arbitral Award is valid, and continues to reject Venezuela’s claim.

When the ICJ hands down its judgement, it will be legally binding on both countries.

Between January and April 2024, Venezuela issued decrees and laws purporting to annex Guyana’s entire Essequibo Region.

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