St Vincent PM Ralph Gonsalves warns of ongoing tensions post-ICJ ruling on Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He emphasizes that regardless of judgment outcome, challenges will remain. Recent events include a Venezuelan naval presence near Guyanese oil assets and international community responses urging Venezuela to refrain from provocation.
Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasized that tensions will persist following the future ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He noted, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions.” As an interlocutor based on the Argyle Agreement established in December 2023, he mentioned that the ICJ is anticipated to deliver its judgment within the year or early next year.
Gonsalves expressed uncertainty about the timeline of the ICJ proceedings, stating, “I don’t know. I’m not too up-to-speed on the progress of the litigation,” highlighting the time needed for the court to formulate its judgment after hearings have taken place. Recently, Guyana raised alarms to CARICOM and the international community regarding a Venezuelan naval vessel that had lingered near its offshore oil assets for several hours.
In response, international entities, including the United States, France, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States (OAS), have urged Venezuela to avoid provocations against ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. Conversely, Venezuela refuted Guyanese President Irfaan Ali’s statements, labeling them as “baseless” and accusing him of misleading the public regarding territorial claims over disputed waters.
Caracas argued that the waters in question are not recognized as Guyanese territory due to ongoing maritime delimitation processes in accordance with international law. The ICJ is currently assessing the validity of the Arbitral Award dated October 3, 1899, with previous warnings issued to Venezuela against any forms of territorial annexation in the Essequibo region, a significant area rich in oil assets providing for many Guyanese citizens.
Guyana’s 2018 filing with the ICJ seeks a definitive ruling on the legitimacy of the 1899 award which concluded the territorial boundaries between the nations; the court has already acknowledged its jurisdiction and is set to rule on the matter’s substantive issues.
The ongoing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the border dispute are likely to continue despite the upcoming ICJ ruling. International calls for peaceful negotiations have been made, but conflicting claims and actions from both governments contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty. Gonsalves’s role as an interlocutor aims to facilitate dialogue, acknowledging the complexities surrounding the legal and territorial disputes that date back over a century.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
