St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves warns of continued tensions following the ICJ ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He indicates that the court’s judgment, expected later this year or early next year, will not alleviate the situation, especially after recent maritime incidents surrounding oil assets. Venezuela’s dismissal of claims made by Guyana further complicates these matters as both nations await the court’s decision.
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has expressed concerns regarding ongoing tensions in the aftermath of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. According to Gonsalves, regardless of the outcome of the judgment, tensions are expected to persist, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
During his weekly radio broadcast, Gonsalves, serving as an interlocutor due to the Argyle Agreement between the two nations, indicated that the ICJ’s verdict may be expected later this year or early next year. His insight into the timeline is based on the court’s procedure, noting they require time to draft the judgment following prior hearings.
Recent developments have fueled this tension, particularly following Guyana’s report of a Venezuelan naval vessel lingering near its oil assets over the weekend. In response, the United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the OAS have urged Venezuela to refrain from any further provocations concerning ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel.
Venezuela has rebuffed assertions made by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, rejecting allegations of territorial violations by its navy. The Venezuelan government claims that the waters in question remain undetermined in terms of maritime boundaries, stating that they do not constitute part of Guyana’s territory due to ongoing delimitation proceedings under international law.
The ICJ is currently addressing the dispute relating to the Arbitral Award issued on October 3, 1899. This award establishes the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, with the court alerting Caracas against any intent to annex the Essequibo region, which is rich in oil and constitutes approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Guyana initiated this legal action in March 2018, seeking a judicial determination of the Arbitral Award’s validity, and the ICJ has already confirmed its jurisdiction over the matter, set to rule on the case’s merits soon.
In summary, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has warned that tensions will persist after the ICJ’s ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Both nations are navigating complex legal waters, with international stakeholders urging restraint from Venezuela in light of recent naval activities. The ICJ’s upcoming decision is critical in addressing the historical and territorial claims that have long affected relations between the two countries.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
