Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Arrives at International Court of Justice in Guyana Border Dispute

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez arrived at The Hague on Sunday to represent her country before the International Court of Justice in a territorial dispute with Guyana. The case centers on a region known as the Essequibo, which both countries claim.

The area is believed to hold significant oil and mineral resources. Venezuela maintains the border drawn in 1899 is invalid, while Guyana asks the court to affirm the existing boundary. Rodríguez is scheduled to address the court during oral arguments in the case.

The International Court of Justice began hearing the dispute in 2023 after Guyana filed an application in 2018 seeking a final ruling on the boundary. Tensions increased in recent years after major oil discoveries offshore in waters adjacent to the disputed land.

An international arbitration award in 1899 set the current line, which Guyana says remains binding. Venezuela has long argued the award was unfair and has claimed sovereignty over the western part of Essequibo. In 2018, Guyana asked the International Court of Justice to confirm the validity of the 1899 award and the resulting boundary.

Venezuela initially questioned the court’s jurisdiction but later participated in some proceedings. The court ruled in 2023 that it had jurisdiction to decide the merits of the case. Oral hearings on the substance of the dispute are now underway.

Rodríguez’s appearance at the court represents Venezuela’s formal presentation of its position. The acting president is expected to outline Venezuela’s historical and legal arguments during the hearings. Guyana has maintained that the dispute should be resolved through the judicial process at the International Court of Justice.

Both countries previously agreed in 1966 to seek peaceful resolution of the matter. No immediate ruling is expected following the current round of arguments. The court typically takes months to issue its final decision in complex territorial cases. The dispute has implications for regional stability and resource development in the area.

Guyana has already awarded offshore drilling licenses in waters near the disputed territory, while Venezuela has continued to assert its claim.