Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines cautions that tensions will persist after the ICJ ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He expressed uncertainty regarding the timeline of the ruling while recent provocations by Venezuela have raised regional concerns. The ICJ handles the case regarding the legitimacy of an 1899 arbitral award defining the boundary between the two nations.
On March 5, 2025, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, addressed anticipated tensions that may persist following the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) forthcoming judgment on the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He emphasized that regardless of the ruling, tensions are expected to remain.
During a discussion on his weekly radio program, Gonsalves, who serves as an interlocutor due to the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023, noted that the ICJ’s decision is anticipated later this year or early next year. He acknowledged his limited knowledge regarding the litigation’s progress but affirmed that the process would take time as the court has already conducted hearings.
In a recent incident, Guyana reported a Venezuelan naval vessel near its oil assets, which raised alarms within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community. Multiple entities, including the United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS), urged Venezuela to refrain from provocative actions against ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Venezuela responded by rejecting Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali’s statements, claiming they were baseless and accusing him of misrepresenting the situation. Caracas contended that the waters in question do not belong to Guyana as they are pending delimitation according to international law.
The ongoing case at the ICJ involves the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, with the court cautioning Venezuela against claims of annexing the Essequibo region, a significant and resource-rich area of Guyana. Guyana initiated the proceedings in March 2018, seeking a ruling on the legitimacy of the earlier arbitral decision that defined the territorial boundary between the nations. The ICJ has confirmed its jurisdiction over the matter and will issue a ruling based on the merits of the case.
In summary, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves warned that tensions may continue in the wake of the ICJ’s impending ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. His comments highlight the ongoing complexities and regional implications of the dispute, which have drawn international attention. With escalating incidents and conflicting statements between the nations, the path ahead remains uncertain as they await the court’s decision.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
