Venezuela has confirmed it will attend upcoming hearings at the International Court of Justice starting May 4 over its long-running territorial dispute with Guyana—but insists it still does not recognize the court’s authority.
The hearings, held in The Hague, are a major step toward resolving the decades-old conflict over the Essequibo region, a vast and resource-rich area that makes up about two-thirds of Guyana.
Venezuela says it is attending only to present its version of history and defend what it sees as its rightful claim. Officials stressed that showing up in court does not mean they accept the ICJ’s power to decide the case.
At the heart of the dispute are two competing views:
- Guyana relies on an 1899 arbitration ruling that set the current border.
- Venezuela rejects that ruling and argues the issue should be settled through negotiation under a 1966 agreement.
Tensions have grown in recent years, especially after major oil discoveries in the disputed . The case itself was brought to the ICJ in 2018, and the court has already ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear it—despite Venezuela’s objections.
Both countries are now preparing to present full arguments during the hearings, which are expected to last several days and could lead to a final, binding decision in the future.
For now, Venezuela’s position is clear: participate—but don’t recognize. That stance keeps the legal battle moving forward, while also showing how politically sensitive the issue remains.
Source: AA
