St. Vincent PM Ralph Gonsalves cautioned that tensions will remain after the ICJ ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He indicated the verdict may arrive by early next year, following extensive hearings. Recent maritime incidents have escalated tensions, with both nations exchanging accusations, as the ICJ examines the legitimacy of historical border determinations.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines stated that tensions will persist following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. He acknowledged that regardless of the ICJ’s decision, conflicts are likely to continue. Gonsalves, acting as an interlocutor due to the Argyle Agreement, indicated that the ICJ’s judgment might come later this year or early next year.
Addressing the dispute in his recent radio program, Gonsalves mentioned uncertainty surrounding the court’s timeline. The ICJ has held hearings, and its writing process will require time, impacting the final judgment’s delivery. Recently, concerns grew when Guyana reported a Venezuelan naval vessel’s presence near its oil assets, raising alarms with CARICOM and the international community.
Prompted by Guyana’s report, entities including the United States and CARICOM urged Venezuela to avoid provocative actions surrounding ExxonMobil’s oil operations. In response, Venezuela denied President Irfaan Ali’s remarks, asserting they “categorically repudiate” his allegations regarding naval violations, claiming those maritime areas are undetermined in accordance with international law.
The ICJ is currently involved in the historical border dispute stemming from the 1899 Arbitral Award, which Venezuela is accused of attempting to annex, particularly the Essequibo region that constitutes a significant part of Guyana and houses many citizens. The case was initiated by Guyana in March 2018, aiming for the court to affirm the legitimacy of the Arbitral Award, and the ICJ has confirmed its jurisdiction to address the matter.
In summary, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves warned that tensions between Guyana and Venezuela are likely to persist despite an impending ICJ ruling on their border dispute. Notably, reactions to recent maritime incidents along with accusations from both sides further complicate relations. The ongoing ICJ proceedings focus on the historical 1899 Arbitral Award, which is central to the territorial contention between the nations.
Original Source: suntci.com
