Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent warns of persistent tensions following an anticipated ICJ ruling on the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Gonsalves noted the ICJ’s judgment is expected soon, and highlighted recent Venezuelan naval provocations near Guyana’s oil assets amidst international calls for restraint.
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, expressed concerns regarding ongoing tensions following the anticipated ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. He stated, “Whichever way they go, you’re still going to have tensions.”
Gonsalves serves as an interlocutor under the terms of the Argyle Agreement, which was established between the two nations in December 2023. He indicated that the ICJ is expected to issue its judgment either later this year or early next year, although he admitted uncertainty regarding the litigation’s progress.
Recently, Guyana raised alarms with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community about a Venezuelan naval vessel’s presence near its oil assets. The United States, France, CARICOM, and the Organization of American States (OAS) have urged Venezuela to refrain from further provocations against Guyana, specifically regarding ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel.
In response, Venezuela dismissed Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali’s statements as baseless, asserting that his allegations are unfounded. Caracas contends that the waters in question do not belong to Guyana, as they are subject to ongoing delimitation according to international law.
The ICJ is currently addressing the case stemming from the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, with the court cautioning against Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo region, which constitutes approximately two-thirds of Guyana and houses a significant portion of its population. Guyana initiated the case in March 2018, seeking a judicial pronouncement on the legitimacy of the Arbitral Award that confirmed their territorial boundary. The court has established its jurisdiction and will proceed to evaluate the merits of the case.
The ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela remains a source of tension, as highlighted by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. With an ICJ ruling expected soon, concerns about naval provocations and international responses persist. Both nations continue to navigate the complexities of territorial claims and international law as they await the court’s decision.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
