St. Vincent PM Ralph Gonsalves warned of ongoing tensions in the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute post-ICJ ruling. He noted uncertainty regarding the court’s timing and the complexities following recent maritime provocations. Responses from Venezuela and international entities highlight the contentious nature of the situation as both countries await the court’s decision on the historical Arbitral Award.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines indicated that tensions will likely persist following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the prolonged border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He stated, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions,” emphasizing the delicate nature of the situation after the upcoming judgment.

Gonsalves, who acts as an interlocutor under the Argyle Agreement signed between the countries in December 2023, mentioned that the ICJ’s ruling could be expected later this year or by early next year. He admitted, “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m not too up-to-speed on the progress of the litigation,” acknowledging the time taken by the court to draft their judgment after previous hearings.

Recently, Guyana raised alarms with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community regarding a Venezuelan naval vessel that lingered near its oil assets for approximately four hours. The situation prompted responses from the United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS), all urging Venezuela to refrain from further provocations involving ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

In response, the Venezuelan government rejected the claims made by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. They stated they “categorically repudiate the baseless remarks” of President Ali and accused him of dishonesty regarding the territorial violations, asserting, “those waters do not form part of Guyanese territory” due to their pending delimitation under international law.

The dispute involves the ICJ reviewing the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, as Venezuela is warned against the potential “annexation” of Essequibo, a valuable oil region constituting about two-thirds of Guyana. Guyana initiated the ICJ case in March 2018, seeking a ruling on the Arbitral Award’s validity, with the court affirming its jurisdiction over the matter and intending to adjudicate based on the case’s merits.

In summary, tensions surrounding the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela are expected to persist despite an impending ruling from the International Court of Justice. Prime Minister Gonsalves highlighted the ongoing complexities of the situation, with international attention focused on provocative maritime activities. As Guyana and Venezuela await the ICJ’s decision, the geopolitical and legal ramifications of the dispute remain significant, underscoring the need for diplomatic engagement.

Original Source: suntci.com

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